Tuesday’s pushback after Game #1 of the Mann Cup series was swift and decisive as the Maple Ridge Burrards rebounded from Friday’s 15-8 loss to the host Chiefs with a 13-9 win.
While the Burrards seemed nervous and overwhelmed for most of the first game, the Chiefs looked in a similar condition in Game #2 as the Burrards turned it up a notch to even the series at one game apiece.
The last time Maple Ridge won a national championship game was in 1977, but were full marks for Friday night’s win. The Chiefs on the other hand won the title in 2013-2014 but could not make the three-peat last season.
Six Nations lost to the Peterborough Lakers in the league championships but then lost to the Victoria Shamrocks for the 2015 championship.
Meanwhile, out west, the Burrards stunned last year’s Cup winners to qualify for this year’s Mann Cup.
“Game 1 wasn’t their best and we knew that,” acknowledged Six Nations’ forward Dan Dawson in the second intermission. “We knew they were going to push back, but I don’t think we were ready for it.”
As sharp as Dillon Ward was in game #1, Maple Ridge’s Frankie Scigliano was in Game #2.
Game #3 is set for Monday, Sept 12th at 8 pm at the ILA in Six Nations.
The Burrards built a 4-1 first period lead which grew into a 9-4 Six Nations deficit by the end of 40 minutes of play.
Although there were flashes of brilliance on the part of the Chiefs, there was not the sustained energy seen the night before. Doug Jamieson went in in the third period to preplace Ward to try and spark a comeback but it didn’t work as the Burrards kept coming in the third.
