In Arena League West action, the Sea Spray (8-3) claimed first place overall with a 12-8 defeat of the Black Fish (4-7).
The Black Fish were riding a three game winning streak.
First Quarter
Things started tight with Greg Lunde (2g) taking advantage off a set-up from Toru Morimatsu (1a) and Ethan M’Lot to give the Fish a lead at 8:56.
Tyler Kirkby (2g) followed 1:52 later by James Rahe (2g,2a) set up by Adam Dickson (3a) and John Hofseth flipped the lead the Sea Splash way.
It took just :47 for Chase McIntyre (4g,1a) to convert with helpers going to Lunde and Ryan Jones (2a).
The Spray took over off with lamp lighters from James Rahe and Nick Preston (4a) quickly followed with David Byrne (1g, 1a) to end the quarter with a 4-2 Sea Spray lead.
Quarter Two
Connor Goodwin (2g) and an unassisted Preston Lupul (2g) marker got it to 6-2.
Nathan M’Lot and and Jordan Roberts did the work for McIntyre to end the three goal second stanza with a 6-3 Sea Spray lead.
To The Third
The third quarter, like the second, only revealed a trio of markers started by John Hofseth (1g, 2a) from Adam Dickson (3a) and Preston.
Forty seconds would pass and Preston Lupul would hit net making it 8-3.
M’Lot (1g, 4a) put an end to the rally to close the third with the Sea Spray in charge, 8-4.
To The Fourth
At 14:05, Kirkby hit on the advantage with helpers from Preston and Parker Kump. Goodwin followed by a Kump (1g,3a) goal ncreased the advantage to 11-4.
Jordan Robert’s (1g,1a) put an end to the barrage but, Keegan Bell (1g) countered.
The Black Fish had scored just five times in the opening 53 minutes.
McIntyre hit for a pair and Lunde finished off the 14-8 game and a clinch of first place for the Sea Spray.
“Bragging rights and that’s it because the first round is a one-game do-or-die and it is whoever can get their best line-up, I’ve lost one-game playoffs just because the other goaltender has had the game of his life, so we are starting over fresh, just like everyone else.” Sea Spray Coach Andy Ogilvie on achieving first place.
Schtuff
Power plays were anemic with the Sea Spray going 2 for 7 and the Black Fish 0 for 9.
Shots favored the Spray, 57-46
Matteo Tack turned aside 38 Fish shots with Gordy Bowden starting and finish stopping 36 shots allowing 8 goals in his 44:22 with David Mather going 14:51 allowing 4 goals on 13 shots.
Sea Spray Clinch First
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.
