The Oakville Rock (2-5) have had a rough couple of weeks, losing their last three games, the most recent being last Tuesday when Owen Sound got on an eleven goal run to win the game. The Rock were looking to right the ship in Thursday’s game against the Kodiaks. Cobourg (3-3) has been playing exciting lacrosse lately, and are starting to really gel as a squad, coming off a big win last week against Owen Sound, the Kodiaks were looking to build on their momentum. This will be an exciting affair between two very talented teams.
The goalie match-up in this game had Nick Rose in net for Oakville, while Kevin Orleman tended goal for Cobourg.
The First Quarter:
Alex Simmons opened the scoring for Cobourg just a minute into the first quarter beating Nick Rose with a low laser of a shot into the corner of the net. The Kodiaks then increased their lead when Cam Milligan took a shovel shot coming out from behind the net giving the Kodiaks a 2-0 lead. Milligan scored his second of the night when he fired a howitzer just over the shoulder of Rose from the outside. Zach Manns finally got the Rock on the scoresheet when he beat Orleman on the power play, followed by Justin Scott scoring seconds later to bring the game within one goal.
After one quarter, Cobourg 3, Oakville 2.
Second Quarter:
Oakville opened the second quarter scoring with a goal by Zack Kearney tying the game, but Matthew Sykes took advantage of a Rock turnover, giving the Kodiaks the lead once more. Zach Manns was able to quick stick a Stephen Portelli pass past Kevin Orleman, followed by Sawyer Howell throwing a long lead pass to Sam English who made no mistake giving Oakville their first lead of the night.
The pace was noticeably quicker in this quarter, with the teams going end to end throughout the quarter.
Ben Drake came back for the Kodiaks, followed by Skkylar Thomas firing a rocket from outside to give Cobourg the lead once again. Zach Manns completed his hat-trick, beating Orleman with an outside shot, then scored his fourth on the power play giving Oakville the lead again in this back and forth affair. Darryl Robertson, in transition, scored for the Kodiaks, but Zack Kearney scored his second of the night, and the Rock took the lead again.
At the half, Oakville 8 Cobourg 7
Third Quarter:
Kevin Dong opened the third quarter scoring going end to end, firing a shot off the post that hit Orleman in the back and rolled in making the score 9-7 for Oakville. The Kodiaks scored on a delayed penalty when Kealan Pilon scored with a quick stick to the far corner, but Justin Scott answered right back for the Rock, making the score 10-8. Zack Kearney scored his third of the game converting a Sam English pass to increase the Rock lead.
Bennett Drake got one back for Cobourg, then on the power play Cam Milligan brought the game within one. Skkylar Thomas then added another Kodiaks goal to tie the game up 11-11.
At the end of the quarter, Cobourg’s Colton Armstrong was assessed a five minute boarding penalty, thus setting the stage for the fouth quarter.
After three quarters, Cobourg 11, Oakville 11.
Fourth Quarter:
Oakville regained the lead just seconds into the quarter when Stephen Portelli beat Kevin Orleman on the power play, followed by Tanner Buck converting a Sam English pass also on that same power play. Cobourg had taken a separate bench minor penalty, and on that power play Zack Kearney scored his fourth of the game increasing the Rock lead to 14-11.
Cobourg just wouldn’t go away…
Travis Longboat scored, followed quickly by Colton Armstrong, to make it a one goal game again. Alex Simmons tied the game with just 2:41 left on the clock, then in dramatic fashion, Travis Longboat got the game winner with just 0:02 seconds left.
Final score, Cobourg 15, Oakville 14.
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.
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