SIX NATIONS — The Mann Cup defending Pro-Fit Six Nations Chiefs are off to an encouraging start with two wins so far against Cobourg (14-3) May 30, and Thursday’s 14-11 win in Brampton over the Excelsiors.
At the Brampton Memorial Centre, the Excelsiors were first out of the shoot with three early goals from Jordan Dance, Phillip Caputo and Bennett Drake within the first minute and a 38-seconds.
After giving their heads a shake at what had just happened, the Chiefs responded. Dwayne VanEvery scored the Chiefs first goal at 3:19 assisted by Craig Point and Pat Corbett. Vaughn Harris made it 3-2 from Jordan Durston and Corbett at 5:06 and three minutes later Durston scored from Brier Jonathan and Shane Simpson. Ryan Benesch kept the train going at 8:35 from VanEvery and Brandon Bomberry. Point scored the Chiefs third goal within a minute from Benesch and VanEvery, and suddenly the Brampton fans went quiet looking at the score clock showing 5-5 after holding a 3-0 lead.
Benesch threw a bucket of cold water on any thoughts of a quick Brampton rally when he scored from Brandon Bomberry 46 seconds into the second. Craig Point put a stamp on it a minute later as the Chiefs quickly took a 7-5 lead.
It was a high scoring period with Six Nations scoring eight and Brampton six for a two period score showing the Chiefs leading 13-11.
The defence tightened up at both ends in the third period when goalie Brandon Miller shut down all Brampton shooters in the final 20 minutes, and Jordan Durston put the game to bed, for the 14-11 final score.
Because the Chiefs have chosen Tuesday nights as their home nights again this year, coverage of the Chiefs this season will be tough, since Tuesday evening is our print deadline. However, last Tuesday, May 30, the Chiefs opened the new season with a 14-3 pounding of the visiting Cobourg Kodiaks.
Ryan Benesch opened his Major Series season with an eight-point night (2G-6A) while Craig Point and Vaughn Harris each chipped in with five-point outings, (3G,2A).
Also striking up points were Kyle Jackson (2G,2A), and Brendan Bomberry (1G,2A), Wayne VanEvery (1G,2A), Jordan Durston (1G,1A), David Brock (2A), J. Gill (2A), S. Simpson (1G,1A), and Mike Raut with an assist. Quinn Powless earned two assists for Brampton.
After only two games played so far, Ryan Benesch is red hot, leading the league with five goals and eight assists for 13 points. Craig point is next with six goals and four assists.
The Chiefs will be running a lot of players through the first part of the season as is usual at the Major Series Lacrosse level of the game. Many teams, and is seems especially at Six Nations must wait for players to complete the NLL season before coming to camp. For that reason, General manager Dwayne Jacobs in the past has referred to the fort half of the season as sort of like training camp when he and the coaches can get a good look at the prospects heading into the meat of the season.
The Chiefs were back home Tuesday night at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena (ILA) to open a two game home stand with the Oakville Rock. Friday night June 9, they take on the Rock again at the ILA at 8 p.m.