SIX NATIONS — When you are up against as much experience and talent as the Six Nations Major Series Pro-Fit Chiefs, it is never a good idea to let up on them, even with a substantial lead. That was the lesson learned last Tuesday night July 10, when the visiting Brampton Excelsiors let a 5-3 lead devolve into a 10-9 Six Nations win.
Brampton opened a three goal gash in the Chiefs’ canoe before Frank Brown hit back, unassisted, at 7:14. Cody Ward scored Brampton’s fourth goal which Cody Jamieson erased assisted by Craig Point and Quinn Powless. Mike Burke and Randy Staats, fresh home from his Bronze medal performance at the World Lacrosse Games in Israel this past week, traded late period goals to end the first period with the Excelsiors up 5-3.
The Chiefs were behind 6-3 after Bennett Drake scored at 2:29 of the second period. That seemed to awaken the sleeping giant as the Chiefs’ Jordan Durston, Kyle Jackson and Randy Staats accounted for the next three goals to even the score at 6-6.
Jordan Dance returned the lead to Brampton, 7-6, which is how the second period ended. Ward and Burke built on the Brampton lead and by the 9:05 mark Brampton held a 9-6 lead. A simple holding penalty to Excelsiors’ Jordan Houtby was the catalyst for a four goals surge to take a 10-9 win out of the hands of the Excelsiors.
Staats with his third of the game, Durstan scored his second and third goals at 11:01 and 13:13 to even the score and at 14:46, Cody Jamieson notched the winner from Dave Brock.
The Six Nations Pro-Fit Chefs are now in 4th place at 6-3-1, but having several games in hand over the rest of the field and a good solid season ending push could make a lot of difference in the standings. Currently, Peterborogh leads with 23 points in 14 games played. Oakville is next with 8-3-1 for 17 points in 12 games. Brooklin is in third with 15 points in 15 games while the Pro-Fit Chiefs have 6 wins, five losses and a tie for 13 points in 12 games. Brampton and Cobourg bring up the rear with 10 and 4 points respectively.
The Chiefs were at home against the Lakers, Tuesday night in a game that missed our deadline. Thursday night the Lakers return the hospitality. Then, on Monday night July 30, the Oakville Rock invade the ILA in an 8 pm start, and Tuesday, the Chiefs are in Oakville to complete the regular season. Should the Chiefs take all six remaining points, they could find themselves in second place going into the post season.
Shane Smith (22G,32A), and Cody Jamieson (15G,27A) lead the Chiefs offence .
