OHSWEKEN – The Sr. B Six Nations Rivermen cling to first place after splitting weekend games, but their hold is slipping. The St Catharines Saints are tied with the Rivermen at 18-points, however, the Saints hold two games in hand and have been hot as of late.
After thrashing the Wallaceburg Thrashers 8-3 Saturday night, they gave up a 9-5 lead heading into the third period with Angus Goodleaf and the Six Nations’ suddenly turning porous in the last 20 minutes allowing seven third period goals to lose it 12-11.
Saturday night, Wayne VanEvery scored two and assisted on two to drive the Rivermen past the short benched Thrashers.
VanEvery and Mike Miller put the Rivermen ahead 2-0 after the first period but Kyle Childerhose popped two quick ones in early in the second to even the score which only served to awaken the sleeping giant as Six Nations methodically took a 7-2, two period score with a pair of rockets from Coty Bomberry and singles from VanEvery Miller and Isaiah Kicknosway.
Holden Vyse added the last goal of the game for the 8-3 final score, with Roger Vyse assisting on four. Warren Hill earned the win in the Six Nations goal.
“They came in short handed so they did what they could do, I guess,” said Roger Vyse. “We came out to compete and that’s all you want from a performance.”
Vyse was expected to sign with the Major Series Chiefs roster this year but decided to come to the Sr. B Rivermen and allow himself to be called up to the Chiefs whenever they need him.
“Basically, I’ll be AP-ing this year (Associate Player). I couldn’t commitment to the Chiefs this year and they have a lot of up-and-coming guys coming in, so I came over here. I’ve got a lot of family on the Rivermen and I’m enjoying it.”
He has made his mark for the Rivermen with 23 goals and 37 assist for 60 points in 12 games so far.
The next night it was quite another story in Oakville against the Titans.
It started well enough with two goals by Wayne VanEvery and one from Rodd Squire. VanEvery and Vyse kept the ball rolling early in the second for a 4-0 lead but the Titans kept chipping away to keep close enough for a late strike.
With the score 9-5, the Titans took charge of the third period outscoring the Rivermen 7-2, scoring the first five goals before Brock Farmer temporary eased the pain with Six Nations’ sixth goal. Oakville added two more late in the game. Travis Bland scored with an extra attacker on the floor but it would have no result in the outcome as the Titans beat the Rivermen 12-11.
This Friday, June 26th, will be a very important game in St. Catharines as the two front-runners go head to head.
