The Six Nations Chiefs are one win away from claiming their seventh Mann Cup title after taking a narrow 8-7 win over the New Westminster Salmonbellies in Game 3 on Monday night.
It was a tight game all the way through. The game was tied 7-7 heading into the third period, but it was Lyle Thompson’s goal with 5:26 left in the game that held up as the game-winner.
Zach Higgins continued his outstanding summer campaign with New Westminster. Despite the loss, he only allowed eight goals while being outshot 56-49. Six Nations went back to Doug Jamieson in goal for Game 3 and he stopped 42 of 49 shots in the victory.
Six Nations will now have a chance to lift the Mann Cup on Tuesday night with the game starting at 10:30 p.m. ET.
Chief Dominate The First Period
Six Nations once again got off to a quick start, jumping out to a 3-0 lead. Eric Fanell opened the scoring 47 seconds into the game and added another 5:25 into the first. Randy Staats rounded out the three-goal run with 13:03 on the clock.
Will Malcom got New Westminster on the board at 9:34 with the first of three shorthanded goals for the Salmonbellies.
Dhane Smith gave the Chiefs a three-goal cushion with 2:16 on the clock and Ben McIntosh rounded out the scoring with 27 seconds left to make it 5-1 for Six Nations.
Salmonbellies Battle Back
New Westminster started chipping away at Six Nations’ lead in the second. Ilija Gajic scored unassisted 5:21 into the second to reduce the Chiefs’ lead to 5-2.
Six Nations replied less than two minutes later with Randy Staats finding the back of the net.
With 11:05 on the clock, Will Malcom started a three-goal run for New Westminster. Jeff Cornwall would then score shorthanded and unassisted with 9:52 left to play. Keegan Bal rounded out the run. He took a feed from Jeff Cornwall and buried the shorthanded marker at 5:18 to narrow the Six Nations’ lead to 6-5.
Lyle Thompson put the Chiefs up by two on the power play at the 4:32 mark to make it 7-5.
Kevin Crowley and Mitch Jones would score 22 seconds apart as New Westminster. The game was tied 7-7 heading into the third period.
Lyle Thompson With The Game-Winner
Both goaltenders and defenses put on a show in the third period as it went scoreless for over 14 minutes.
Lyle Thompson took a feed from Shayne Jackson with 5:26 on the clock as Six Nations is one win away from lifting the Mann Cup.
Top Scorers
Six Nations
Lyle Thompson, 2g 3a
Eric Fanell, 2g 2a
Randy Staats, 2g 2a
Cody Jamieson, 4a
New Westminster
Will Malcom, 2g 1a
Mitch Jones, 1g 1a
Keegan Bal, 1g 1a
Jeff Cornwall, 1g 1a
Drew Belgrave, 2a
Don’t forget to check us out every Sunday night at 9pm (ET) on eopsports.com
Shawn Slaght has been a sports reporter across the Canadian prairies for over 10 years and has experience covering everything from junior hockey to World Cup skiing to all levels of lacrosse. He is the Saskatchewan correspondent for All Lacrosse All The Time.
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