AKWESASNE — In Jr. B lacrosse action, the four-time Founders Cup Champion Six Nations Rebels were hit in the face with a bucket of ice water in Games #1 and #2 of the OLA Jr. B championship finals, Saturday, Aug. 8th and Sunday.
It is hard to recall the last time this franchise lost two games in a row. Saturday the four time Founders Cup Champs lost 11-6 and lost again 15-12 Sunday afternoon Both games were played in Akwesasne to save on travel costs.
The Rebels looked more prepared Sunday scoring the first two goals of the game with Travis Hill and Mitch Green putting the Rebels ahead by the 2-0 by the 3 minute mrk, but Sky Sunday took one of them back. Kesler Doolittle made it 3-1 before the wheel fell off the Rebel’s wagon.
The Indians suddenly came to life with the next six unanswered goals to dig a 7-3 hole for Six Nations to try and climb their way out of.
The Rebels had better success in the second period outscoring Akwesasne 6-3 to end the second period trailing by only one goal at 10-9. The Rebels continued to real in the Indians in the third and goals scored by Kevin Owen Hill and Chayton King sent the game into overtime.
The Rebels ran out of steam in the OT period as Akswesasne added the only three goals of the 10 minute extra frame for the 15-12 win.
Because of scheduling issues the first two games were on the road for the Rebels but the series now shifts to the ILA Wednesday night where they hope to have better luck in a more familiar setting. They will need to win the next three games to keep their Drive-for-five season alive in the best of five series.
The Akwesasne Indians struck quickly and often, taking a 7-0 first period lead. Sky Sunday scored four, two on powerplays, and Russ Oaks scored two. The single was scored by Skylar Thomas.
The Rebels took the intermission to give their collective heads a shake and name out looking more like the Rebels, but with a momentous task in front of them.
The Six Nations defense tightened up and Briley Miler found his game in the first half of the second period. Kevin Owen-Hill, Chayton King, and Travis Longboat regained some ground they lost in the first, but there was still 20 minutes left to play and four goals to catch up needed.
Sunday scored his fifth of the game at 8:26 and Dalston Day put the game out of reach Sunday made it a six goal game for the Indians to lead the Akwesasne charge. Sam Verville was nothing short of amazing in the Akwesasne net turning away 48 of 54 Six Nations shots.
