SIX NATIONS – The Ohsweken Demons got a lot more from the Southwest Cyclops than they expected in the Demons home opener Friday night at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena in Six Nations.
Despite being down at one point in the game, the Demons’ methodical pressure began to pay off in the second half, as the Demons completed a late game comeback to win it 10-9. Rodd Squire accounted for the game winner with 1:27 left in regulation time, assisted by Josh Becker.
Entering the game, the Demons and Cyclops – who both played out of the ILA last season – were both undefeated in the very early 2015 CLax season. The Cyclops are showing signs of being a real force to be reckoned with this season after taking up residence in the Syl Apps Arena in Paris.
“We stuck to our system,” said Demons coach Rich Kilgour following the narrow win. “In the fourth quarter, just like last week’s game in St Catharines, we were down 8-6, down two, and we stayed to our system, the guys came together and pulled out a win.”
The Demons looked a little off balance in the first half against the energy and speed of the Cyclops, a much-improved team over last season, which held a 4-3 lead over their hosts. But in the second half, the Demons’ meticulous approach gradually turned the tide in their favour.
Kilgour was surprised at the strength of the Cyclops this year.
“They are fast and strong, they’ve got good goaltending with Grant (Crawley) and Jay (Preese),” he said. “I know both of those guys and they have been playing great.”
CLax Commissioner Jim Veltman is very pleased with the “new” Cyclops organization.
“I knew Southwest was fast, but I didn’t know they were this fast,” said Veltman. “I think that gave Ohsweken problems, but the Demons’ experience came through in the end. They are such a poised team and they don’t get rattled when they get behind. They stuck to their game plan and they pulled it off.”
There are a number of younger Demons on this year’s team mixed with the experienced veterans which, once everyone gets to know each other better, will bode well for them as the season goes on.
“We’ve been stressing discipline and our young guys have been stepping up,” says Kilgour.
It was that same cool, methodical game they played last week in their 11-9 win over last year’s Creators Cup Champions, the Niagara Lock Monsters, coming from behind to score five fourth quarter goals to take the two points out of the hands of the Monsters.
Saturday, January 31st, the Southwest Cyclops welcome the Niagara Lock Monsters to the Syl Apps Arena in Paris for an 8 p.m.start.
The Demons are off until Friday, February 6th, when they will host the Barrie Blizzard at the ILA. For a pair of tickets to that game, go to our website and tell us who won the first Creators’ Cup. Winner will be randomly selected from correct answers entered. Please include your name, email address and phone number.
