SIX NATIONS – Unless you follow them on the road, Six Nations Jr. A Arrow fans will have to wait until the annual “Bread and Cheese” game on Victoria Day to see this year’s edition at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena (ILA). But the Arrows’ 2017 campaign began Friday night at the Ted Reeve Arena, in Toronto, with a very close 10-9 win, fending off a late Toronto Beaches rally.
Jeremy Bomberry scored the first goal of season for the Arrows at 2:03 of the first period, assisted by Cody Ward. The Beaches responded with two goals but McCoy Abrams, Oliver Bolsterli and a short-hander by the end of the period for a 4-2 Six Nations lead.
Toronto cut into that lead in the second period, which ended 8-7 after 40 minutes of play. Abrams, Bomberry, Kason Tarbell, and Cory Highfield scored for the Arrows. Abrams opened the third period with his third of the game, which Toronto’s Aaron Foster answered. Ward netting what would be the winner for Sox Nations and they would need the insurance goal as Toronto brought themselves back to within one, with five minutes remaining. But Doug Jamieson and the Arrows defense held the line to secure the season opening 10-9 win.
The Arrows will be back on the road Friday, May 19, when they roll into Brampton to see the Excelsiors for the first time this year. That sets up the Bread and Cheese game, Monday, May 22 when the St. Catharines Athletics with be the opposition at the ILA, in a 3 p.m. start.