OHSWEKEN – It tool a strong third period but the Six Nations Rivermen came from behind to defeat the St Catharines Saints 13-10 at the Jack Gatecliff Rink in St. Kitts, Friday.
It was a very important meeting of these two powerhouse teams who are now one point apart thanks to a tie game between the Saints and the Owen Sound North Stars Saturday night. As a result, the Rivermen are in first with 20 points, followed closely by the Saints with 19. However, the Saints hold one game in hand.
The Saints got their hometown crowd into the game in the first period by taking a 5-3 lead. They traded three goals each in the second leaving the Rivermen still two goals back with 20 minutes left to play.
Six Nations regrouped during the second intermission and came out fired up and loaded for bear.
Marty Hill started the rally at 4:24 but Kiel Matisz got that one back at 9:47. Brock Boyle, Holden Vyse, and Roger Vyse stunned the Saints to erase their advantage and take a one-goal lead by the 15:20 mark.
Dan Keane tied it up again at 10-10, but the Rivermen responded with Marty Hill, Delby Powless and Tom Montour sending the Saints fans home unsatisfied.
Roger Vyse and Mart Hill scored three times each with Vyse adding four assists for a seven-point game. Also adding points were Delby Powless (1G,3A), Brock Boyle (1G), Holden Vyse (1G), Tom Montour (1G, 1A), Mike Miller (4A), Wayne VanEvery (1G,3A), Jacob Crans (1G,2A), Isaiah Kicknosway (2A), Cory Bomberry (3A), and Travis Bland (1G,1A).
Six Nations will see action again Saturday, July 4, in Owen Sound in their only game of the week and will close out the regular season the following Saturday, July 11, in what could be a showdown battle at the Gaylord Powless Arena against the Saints of St. Catharines.