By Rod Mawhood, Special to The Standard
ST. CATHARINES - If there’s been one constant for the St. Catharines Spartans during the 2013 campaign it’s been their goaltending.
Craig Seneca, despite only playing in 16 of the Spartans 20 games, has faced the second most shots in the entire Ontario Lacrosse Association junior B loop with 539.
Combine that with 105 shots thrown at him by the Orangeville Northmen in the first two playoff games, and if he’s not the Spartans MVP then someone should call CSIS.
The 19-year old who calls the Cattaraugus Indian Reservation home, and Genessee College field lacrosse player, was his stellar self again Monday night making 46 stops as the Spartans staved off elimination with a 10-7 win over Orangeville at Merritton Centennial Arena.
The best-of-three series is tied 1-1 with Game 3 back in Orangeville on Wednesday.
“It’s been a lot of fun here,” said Seneca who was brought to the Spartans on the suggestion of veteran defender and fellow Genessee teammate Brady Lawrence “I was playing Newtown senior B and was the youngest guy in the whole league, so a lot of people were telling me I should come here, and I was hesitant at first to get a release. but now I’m glad I made the choice.”
After dropping Game 1 by a 12-5 score in Orangeville, the Spartans stormed out of the gates taking a 6-1 lead after the first period of play.
Seneca was particularly strong midway through the second period when he made six straight saves on an Orangeville five on three power play.
“Craig is our MVP, you’re right,” Spartan coach Matt Attwood said.
“He’s our rock, he’s our constant. Not only him tonight, but all 10 guys on defence and eight on offence deserved the win.”
And while Seneca was doing his thing, Spartan captain Kyle Potter, who admittedly didn’t play well in Game 1, rebounded with a huge eight-point effort on three goals and five assists.
“You could tell everyone wanted to win tonight,” said Potter who has four goals and 11 points in two playoff games. “We were moving on offence, passes were on, and what can you say about Craig — he’s just so good, and so smart, he’s done that all year for us even in losses.”
As for heading back to Orangeville on Wednesday night in the series decider, Seneca summed things up best, “Sacrifice. Sacrifice your body. Give everything you’ve got, it could be the last game of the season, but if we give everything we’ve got, I’m confident we can come out with the victory.”
Notes: Seamus Blakelock, Bryson Filipetti, Colton DeWolfe and Corey Antongiovanni were the scratches for St. Catharines. ... Orangeville starter Ryan Holinshead was pulled late in the first period after allowing six goals on 17 shots.
