Despite the Arena League West being a new league,it certainly has not disappointed.
Another high scoring battle witnessed the Sea Spray move into first place with an 18-12 defeat of the Grizzlies.
Sea Spray utilized a fast start to move to 6-3 with the Grizzlies losing for the 4th time in six games to fall to 5-4 and into second place.
To the Action
Aiden Eilis (2g), Eli Batt (1g) and Preston Lupul (1g) each hit rope to put the Sea Spray in front, 3-0.
The goals came in the first 3:24.
Sekawnee Baker (1g, 2a) stopped the run but Dalton Lupul (2g) countered to push it a 4-1 game.
Steve McKinlay (2g, 4a) followed by McKinlay setting up Erik Maas (1g, 5a) got it to 4-3.
The Sea Spray took the hit and countered with a pair of goals fueled by Rob Hofserh (1g, 1a) from Tyler Kirkby with his first of seven helpers And James Rahe getting his first of five.
The Rahe, Kirkby tandem were back at it just :15 later on Connor Goodwin’s (2g,2a) first of the night.
That brought the first quarter scoring to an end with the Spray holding a 6-3 lead.
On to the Second
At 10:40, Ellis buried a Carter Dickson (1a) feed to push it 7-3.
McKinlay answered 1:35 later and the battle was in full force with a 7-4 score.
Nick Preston (2g,2a) followed by Dalton Lupul, started to put some distance between the clubs with The Spray pulling in front, 9-4.
The Grizzlies had no quit and Jacob Patterson (1g) attempted to start a comeback.
The issue was the Grizzlies frustration. The Coaches were chirping and the anxiety trickled down.
Power play goals a plenty. Three in a minute thirty five blew it open .
Adam Dickson (4g, 1a) set up by Rahe and Preston, followed by Brendan Szabo (1g) unassisted.
Kirkby and Rahe started a pretty pass around that Preston buried to get the score to 12-5..
With :23 on the clock, James Baker (5g) ended the run on, three guesses…a Grizzlies power play.
That signaled the end of the wild first half with The Sea Spray holding the cards with a 12-6 score.
We Go to the Third
The power play party reached five consecutive with Parker Kump (2g, 2a) lighting the lamp at the 12:44 mark with assists going to…Rahe and Kirkby.
At 12:27,Adam Dickon connected on an even strength marker to push the score to 14-6.
Another special teams goal..this time, short handed by Mitchell Nolet bagging his first of two to cut it to a 14-7 contest.
Adam Dickson followed by James Baker at 8:55 changed the board to 15-8.
Kirkby and Adam Dickson set up Goodwin to close the third with a 16-8 Grizzlies deficit.
Wind it Down Time
Kirkby and Preston went back to work on…yes..a power play that Kump buried.
Stop me if you heard this….Andrew Joseph (1g,1a) and James Baker stepped up to close things to 17-10.
Both markers came on…the man advantage.
Nolet made it a three goal run on an even strength tally that McKinlay and Andrew Gresham (2a) set up.
The Spray would hit on the advantage courtesy of Adam Dickson with James Baker ending the scoring with :20 on the clock for the 18-12 final.
Dis and Dat
Shots on Goal were 62-48 in favor of the Spray.
Brandon Humphrey went 57:46 facing 49 shots and surrendering 17 goals.
Kyle Mooney played briefly in the second quarter facing 3 shots allowing a goal for the Grizzlies.
In the Sea Spray nets Lee Jackman was outstanding with 36 saves off 48 shots.
The game came down to special teams with the Spray hitting for 7 of 9 power plays while the Grizzlies potted a man down goal and on the advantage, 11 chances and scoring just three times.
Another Wild One in the West
Kevin has followed and promoted the game of lacrosse since May 19, 1974.
The same day the Philadelphia Flyers won the Cup, the Philadelphia Wings were introduced to Neibauer and Philadelphia.
Kevin has covered many sports, including baseball, football, basketball, and.. lacrosse. A former licensed football referee and baseball umpire, Kevin brings a unique insight to his game coverage.
A published writer in JustHockey Magazine, Kevin covered the American Hockey League as well as a monthly story on a pugilist where Kevin used the pen name, The Rink Rat. Neibauer turned his attentions to lacrosse for a few years and does his part, whether podcasting or writing to grow the game. Kevin branched out to his roots and currently provides insight for all Philadelphia teams for Edge of Philly as well as his full-time duties with LaxPhilly.
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