SIX NATIONS – The Six Nations Pro-Fit Chiefs had a golden opportunity to put the Oakville Rock down in Game 6 of the Major Series semi-finals Monday night at the TRAC in Oakville. That did not happen as the Rock defeated the Chiefs 7-5.
That set up Game 7, Tuesday night. Unfortunately, Tuesday night is the Two Row Times’ production night and the results will miss our deadline.
After a scoreless first period Monday night, the Rock created a landslide of goals out pointing the Chiefs 6-2 in the second period.
Brendan Bomberry scored first but four minutes later, the Chiefs were behind 5-1. Dave Brock scored for the Chiefs and Wesley Berg scored late to end the middle period with the Rock leading 6-2.
The Chiefs put together a solid third period with goals scored by Dhane Smith, Kyle Jackson and Owen K Hill brought the Chiefs close but Dan Lomas recorded the game winner for the Rock forcing Game 7.
Goaltending at its best is what lacrosse fans got with their ticket price at the ILA Saturday night in Game 5 of the best-of-seven OLA Major Series semi-final. Out of 102 shots on goal in total, the Chiefs finally won it 5-4 in overtime, making Dillon Ward for the Chiefs and Nick Rose for the Oakville Rock were certainly busy.
Rose faced a total of 47 shots while Ward saw 55 shots.
Ward was especially outstanding when he had to be, with the score tied at 4-4 and the Rock threatening late regulation time.
Dan Dawson carried the Chiefs offence scoring the only two goals of the first period, and scoring his third early in the third period to even the4 score at 4-4, eventually forcing overtime.
Oakville played its best period of the game and maybe the series, in the second period. By the 4:25 mark of the second period, Stephan Leblanc and Jeremy Noble balanced the score at 2-2.
Vaughn Harris scored from Brodie Merril to retake the lead less than a minute later. The Rock finished strong and Oakville held a 4-3 lead heading into the third period.
After Dawson made it 4-4, it appeared that with how the goaltenders were playing, it would be a next goal wins feeling throughout the final 18 minutes of regulation time.
Both tenders were stellar, but Ward had more good scoring chances to stop than Rose.
There were fine chances at both ends of the floor in the OT period with Ward stopping six OT shots, in total. Vaughn Harris drilled what would stand as the game winner 6:48 of the 10-minute extra period. Dan Dawson and Dave Brock assisted on the winning goal.
“It was pretty tight checking. Both teams were not giving a lot up,” said Chiefs General Manager Dwayne Jacobs. “The goaltending was spectacular.”
Among those not in uniform for the Chiefs were Cody Jamieson and Randy Staats. Jamieson was with the team in the dressing room even if he couldn’t play. He is still healing from a nagging leg injury, which has kept him out of uniform all season. Staats represents 14 goals and 22 assists in the regular season, and seven goals and seven assists in two playoff games.
“We are missing a lot of key players,” says Jacobs “They are missing some too, I think both teams played four affiliates tonight.”
“We can’t make any excuses at this time of year.”
Jacobs is very thankful for the cooperation and talent he can draw from the local talent at Six Nations.
“Our junior program has helped out tremendously this season. They certainly didn’t hurt us tonight,” he says.
The Chiefs are the defending Mann Cup Champions.
