GUELPH — For the first time this year, the Six Nations Rebels were defeated by the Guelph Regals in Game 2 of their best-of-five series.
Before taking on the Rebels, the Regals delivered swift blows to the Windsor Clippers, 3-0. At the same time, the Elora Mohawks took out the Cambridge Highlanders 3-0, the Hamilton Bengals lost to the St. Catharines Athletics with a closely matched 3-2, the Nepean Knights took over the Orillia Kings 3-0, the Orangeville Northmen blasted the Gloucester Griffins 3-0, while Halton Hills Bulldogs retired the Kahnawake Hunters 3-1, and the Green Gaels fell to the Akwesasne Thunder 3-0. As known, the Rebels took out the Owen Sound North Stars 3-0.
But the first round of playoffs can be the most or least challenging.
After high-scoring games, the Regals visited the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena last Friday, July 7 for Game 1, where the Regals walked away with the first loss, 15-8.
Going in with an undefeated season and a previously undefeated playoff run, the Rebels were faced with Game 2 away from home at the Victoria Road Community Centre later on Sunday, July 9.
The first period saw Cole Powless break scoring after a pass from Colby Martin. But the Regals fired back with two of their own in the final two minutes of the period. In the second period, the Regals scored again, unassisted. To offset the Regals lead, Damon Doxtatar scored unassisted, while and Joe Squire took one on the power play from Anahilis Doxtador. Instead of loosening their grip, the Regals put two goals away by the end of the period to cancel the Rebels goals.
In the third, the Regals opened scoring again, making the game 6-3. Damon Doxtatar earned an unassisted goal on the power play to ignite the Rebels morale, and came back fro a second goal from Anahilis Doxtador. The Regals answered once, but Joe Squire put the final goal away on another power play, from Anahilis Doxtador.
By this time, the Rebels sustained 16 minutes, while the Regals 12 minutes in penalties. The Rebels made use of their powers, scoring three power play goals and two unassisted goals. But the Regals by contrast, scored two short-handed goals.
With the score 7-7, the match went into over-time. In the first two minutes of play, the Regals were able to bury and seal the win, 8-7.
Previously, when the Rebels played the Regals in the regular season, their scores were 20-8 on April 22 and 11-6 on June 9, consecutively. And filled with a bench of talent to help fuel a comeback, current playoff scoreboard leaders for the Rebels include Anahilis Doxtador, Hodo Martin, Rakawineh Elijah, Macay Jimerson and Joe Squire.
The Rebels will be looking to regain the lead of the series this week at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena for Game 3, on Friday, July 14 at 8:00 p.m..
