Before the game had begun Major Series Lacrosse (MSL) came out with a statement regarding the Owen Sound/Brampton Excelsiors ownership situation. Basically saying that after two missed seasons, and many people putting in time and effort to get this tournament going, Major Series Lacrosse would keep things as they were (since every game was played in a neutral site – Toronto Rock Athletic Centre) until the end of the #MSLClassic…as the Owen Sound Lacrosse Club. There would no other statements at this time.
The goaltending match-up had Ethan Woods in net for Cobourg, and Nolan Clayton in net for Owen Sound.
The First Quarter:
The game saw with Cobourg jump out to a three goal lead on the strength of two Jackson Nishimura transition goals, followed by a Kealon Pilon unassisted goal at 10:58. Owen Sound finally got on the board when they scored twice within a 2:17 span to cut the lead to just one after one.
After one quarter, Cobourg 3, Owen Sound 2.
The Second Quarter:
The Kodiaks increased their lead to 4-2 just 0:55 seconds into the second quarter when Colton Armstrong scored shorthanded in transition, but Owen Sound came back with two quick goals of their own. Jordan Caskenette scored on a Mike Fiegehen pass at 6:01, followed by Brett Kloepfer scoring off a Josh Medeiros feed just 0:36 seconds later, tying the game once again. The Kodiaks got another shorthanded goal, this time by Marcus Minichiello to retake the lead, but Keagan White scored his third of the game on the power play to tie it yet again, in this back and forth affair. A late Kodiaks power play goal by Bennett Drake with only 0:26 seconds left had Cobourg up at the half.
At halftime, Cobourg 6, Owen Sound 5.
Third Quarter:
Cobourg opened the second half scoring with two quick goals to increase their lead. Bennett Drake scored his second of the night on a Scott Del Zotto pass at 2:36, followed by Tye Kurtz using a quick stick, scoring off a Skkylar Thomas feed at 4:17. Owen Sound got one back on the power play when Mike Fiegehen scored at 5:51, and brought it back to a one goal came just before the end of the quarter when Kyle Dawson scored with just 1:50 left.
After three quarters: Cobourg 8, Owen Sound 7.
The stage was set for yet another nail-biter of a fourth quarter in this tournament.
Fourth Quarter:
In the first few minutes once again the Kodiaks jumped back to a three goal lead. Bennett Drake with his third of the night, followed by Scott Del Zotto increased the lead to 10-7. Owen Sound wasn’t going away though, John St. John scored off a Jordan Caskenette pass at 4:27, but Marcus Minichiello got that back for the Kodiaks finishing off a Rowan Kelly pass at 7:41.
Owen Sound made the game interesting when they put together a three goal run to tie the game with only 3:31 left, but just couldn’t push over the threshold to gain the lead.
Cobourg re-took the lead when Jackson Nishimura scored his third of the night in transition at 12:53, then put it away when Skkylar Thomas scored at 14:24 to give the Kodiaks the two goal win.
Final Score, Cobourg 13, Owen Sound 11.
Gary Groob has been involved with Lacrosse for the majority of his life, whether playing, coaching, or covering the sport for the media.
An avid fan, with a real drive about helping to “grow the game”, Gary became part of podcasts about the game in 2010. Through the podcasts, Mr. Groob was given an opportunity to write about lacrosse, and the rest as they say, is history.
Through many miles (flying and driving) Gary has made inroads with the National Lacrosse League, Major Series Lacrosse League, the Ontario Lacrosse Association, as well as the Arena Lacrosse League, covering the leagues, their teams, and players, working for, and in concert with all of them.
In the year 2020, Mr. Groob was made the media person for the Arena Lacrosse League, voted onto the board of directors of the Brampton Excelsiors Lacrosse Club, as well as being made administrator of the Lacrosse page “Global Lacrosse” with a membership of 9000 members in over 90 Countries. Gary was also made an administrator of Lacrosse History Past Present and Future in 2022.
Mr. Groob co-hosts a weekly Lacrosse show on Spanglish Sports World, and ZingoTV channel 250, as well as writes a weekly lacrosse column for La Portada Canada News (both in print, and online).
Gary also hosts a Lacrosse talk show and podcast for The Edge of Philly Sports Network, seen live Sunday nights at 9pm (ET), and archived on the Edge of Philly YouTube page, as well as Spotify.
Mr. Groob’s other sports interests include Hockey, Football, Boxing, Wrestling, and Baseball, competing competitively in Boxing and Wrestling for many years.
Latest Articles
Eagles Get Smacked in the Mouth By the 49ersEagles
The Flyers Beat the Penguins…AgainFlyers
Albany tops Las Vegas in Season OpenerLacrosse, NLL
Rochester completes comeback over CalgaryLacrosse, NLL
Philadelphia Wings Flying In The Right DirectionLacrosse, NLL
