The Ontario Series Lacrosse (Senior B) Finals began with the Six Nations Rivermen facing the Oakville Rock in game one at the Toronto Rock Athletic Centre (TRAC) in Oakville, Ontario.
The goaltending match-up had Toronto Rock (NLL) goaltenders facing each other. Troy Holowchuk was in goal for the Rivermen facing Nick Rose in net for the Rock.
In a back and forth game built on big runs, the Oakville Rock Outlasted the Six Nations Rivermen 12-10. On the strength of hat-tricks by Ryan Lanchbury (3g,4a) and Dylan Watson (3g,1a) the Rock were able to hold off the Rivermen. Nick Rose made 40 saves in the victory.
To The Game:
Oakville got on the board first when Dylan Watson converted a Ryan Lanchbury feed on the power-play at 3:03, but Six Nations answered with Danton Miller finishing a Kurt Woodland pass 0:46 seconds later.
The Rivermen took the lead when Layne Smith converted a Danton Miller pass at 13:16, but two goals by Oakville gave the Rock the lead at the intermission. Andrew Kew scored off a Ryan Lanchbury pass at 14:47, followed by Cam Milligan converting an Andrew Kew feed at 18:57.
After one period, Oakville 3 Six Nations 2.
Shots on goal were tied 15-15.
Second Period:
The Rivermen came out strong scoring twice. Layne Smith blasted a shot in off a Mike McLaughlin pass at 1:46, followed by Sherman Williams finishing a Greg Elijah-Brown pass at 2:19.
The Rock stormed back with a five goal run. Jason Knox converted an Andrew Kew pass at 6:45, followed by Jordan McKenna scoring unassisted in transition at 7:43. Ryan Lanchbury continued the barrage finishing a Jordan McKenna pass at 11:18, followed by Dylan Watson converting a Dan Lintner pass on the power-play at 13:58. Jamison Dilks finished a Bill Hostrawser pass in transition 0:12 seconds later for an 8-4 Rock lead.
Six Nations came back with a four goal run of their own. Wes Whitlow scored off a Wayne Hill feed at 14:58, followed by Danton Miller finishing a Layne Smith pass at 15:30. Greg Elijah-Brown converted a Winter Rivera pass at 18:13, followed by Layne Smith finishing a Rivera pass as well at 18:47 to tie the game.
After two periods, Oakville 8 Six Nations 8.
Shots on goal were tied 21-21.
Third Period:
The Rivermen took the lead when Greg Elijah-Brown scored shorthanded unassisted at 3:24, but two goals from Oakville gave them the lead once more. Chris Weier scored off a Zack Kearney pass in transition at 5:12, followed by a power-play goal by Ryan Lanchbury off a Jason Knox feed at 6:15 on the power-play. Dylan Watson scored again to make it a hat-trick for him as well at 8:36.
Lanchbury would strike again off a Dylan Watson pass at 12:35, but an unassisted goal by Hodo Martin at 13:36 would bring the game within one once again.
The Rivermen tried to tie the game, but Nick Rose and the Rock defense stood tall for the game one victory.
Final score, Oakville 12 Six Nations 10.
Shots on goal were 14-11 in favor of Oakville, for a game total of 50-47 in favor of the Rock.
The Three Stars:
1. Ryan Lanchbury
2. Layne Smith
3. Andrew Kew
Top Scorers:
Six Nations Rivermen:
- Layne Smith 3g, 1a
- Greg Elijah-Brown 2g, 1a
- Danton Miller 2g, 1a
Oakville Rock:
- Ryan Lanchbury 3g, 4a
- Andrew Kew 1g, 5a
- Dylan Watson 3g, 1a
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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.
