Kevin M. NeibauerLaxPhilly– A Division of the Edge of Philly Sports Network
The curtain came down on the Regular Season the Arena Lacrosse League East with a wild one.
If you like offense,this was for you.
A combined 30 goals, 42 assists and 128 shots highlighted the 17-13 Six Nations victory.
In a match up at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena (ILA) in Hagersville saw Former NLLer, Johnny Powless post a seven point game to fuel the sixth straight win for the Snipers.(10-2)
“St. Catharines had nothing to lose, They were out there playing pretty hard.” said Powless.
Head Coach, Darcy Powless, knowing first place was locked up, took the opportunity to clear his bench.
To the Action:
St.Catherine’s came out with a hot hand and utilized Cody Ward (2g,1a) scoring with just :14 seconds gone.
Ward helped by Seamus Shanahan (1a) set up Lucas Beaver (1g) at 13:06 followed with a power play goal from Chris Attwood (3g) helped by Anthony Patterson and Wayne Hill (2a) put the Snipers behind the eight Ball with less than four minutes played.
The Snipers adjusted their scope with Vern Hill (3a) and Ross Hill setting up the start of the Powless (4g,3a) big game.
Powless accompanied by Tyler Brown, helped get it to a 3-2 game assisting on Cheyton King’s first of three goals and five points at 8:27.
Tyler Brown (2g,2a) and Ross Hill (2g,2a)doing the work for a 4-3 Snipers lead with 6:09 to play
Oakley Thomas (3g,2a) stopped the run with Brown at 3:19 follwed by Anthony Patterson (1g,1a) ended the opening stanza with a 5-5 score.
The Second..
Six Nations flexed their muscles to seize a 10-5 lead and outscoring the Shockwave, 5-1.
Jordan Goddard (1g,3a), Jeremy Bomberry (2g,2a), Rodd Squire (1g) with Powless and Mike McGloughlin (2a) setting the plate for Cheyton King.
Bomberry potted a set up from King and Vern Hill to get the run to five goals and the 10-5 advantage.
With :39 on the clock, Beaver stopped the run and the half with a 10-6 Six Nations edge.
Half-Way Done
Thomas hit rope at 13:03 to make it a three goal game Just over a minute and a half later,Tyler Conn (2a) hit Powless with a pretty pass that Powless quick sticked for his second.
Powless and Brown kept the pressure on with King reaping the benefits at 9:38 to increase the lead to 12-7.
St.Catherine’s went on the offensive with Jordan Medeiros (1g), Thomas and Rees (1g,2a) and, just like that, it was a two goal game, 12-10.
The Snipers took a deep breath and countered at 1:22 with Gavin Skye (1g) followed with :30 left with Powless putting home a work around from Jake Bomberry and Brooker Muir (1a).
The curtain came down on the third with the Snipers in control, 14-10.
Wind It Down
Attwood went back to back at 12:54 and 10:51 to snag his hat trick and get it back to a two goal differential, 14:12.
Sensing the comeback, Cody Ward got it to 14-13 with 9:28 to play.
The Snipers fired back courtesy of Ross Hill, Vern Hill and Tye Argent (4a) setting up the fourth for Powless and Daylen Hill (1g,1a) to give Six Nations it’s 6th Consecutive win.
After having to come from a five goal deficit the previous day, the Snipers were prepared.
“Saturday’s game was a bit of a wakeup call, We were a little more prepared (on Sunday) knowing teams aren’t just going to roll over and let us pound on them.” Coach Powless spoke candidly.
Inside the Numbers:
• Each team fired 64 shots with Chase Martin (Shockwave) turning aside 47 and Dylan Sprentz stopping 51 for the Snipers
• Despite a total of 11 penalties being called, only one advantage was registered with Six Nations going 0 for 5 and St. Catherine’s 1 of 5.
• Scoring Leaders: For Six Nations.
Johnny Powless 4g,3a
Cheyton King 3g,2a
Ross Hill 2g,2a.
Tye Argent 4 assists.
St. Catherine’s:
Oakley Thomas. 3g, 2a.
Chris Attwood. 3g,1a
Cody Ward. 2g,1a
Jake Bomberry 2g,1a
Huge Shootout in Hagersville.
• By virtue of regular season standings, Six Nations and the Whitby Warriors have first round byes.
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.
