Lacrosse
Spartans and Thunderhawks all even in playoff series 0
ST. CATHARINES - The opening-round playoff series between the Niagara Thunderhawks and St. Catharines Spartans couldn’t get any closer.
The Spartans opened the best-of-five Ontario Lacrosse Association junior B series with a 9-8 overtime victory in Niagara-on-the-Lake Friday before the Thunderhawks responded with a 9-8 triumph at the Spartans’ home at the Merritton Arena Sunday.
“The bottom line is that it’s good lacrosse and both teams are hungry,” Thunderhawks head coach Randy Chrysler said.
Despite the Thunderhawks finishing the regular season at 17-3 compared to 10-10 for the Spartans, Chrysler expected a tough series.
“You interviewed me the first day and I told you that this would be a hard-fought series,” he said. “They have good coaching, the kids never give up and their work ethic has grown so much from the beginning of the year to the playoffs.”
Spartans head coach Rob McKibbon also isn’t surprised by his team’s performance.
“We improved tremendously over the season and the last 5-10 games we have really jelled as a team and bought into the system that we have tried to teach them all year,” he said. “We had some guys trying to carry the team too much on their shoulders and now everyone is trusting each other and it’s showing on the floor.”
McKibbon always had the confidence his squad could defeat the Thunderhawks in a playoff series, but he is a long way from guaranteeing a victory.
“We have to keep working hard, do what we’re doing, get good goaltending and a little bit of luck doesn’t hurt,” he said. “Everyone needs a little bit of luck on their side.”
In Friday’s opener, Niagara forced overtime by out-scoring the Spartans 5-1 in the third period. Brandon Carter and Colton DeWolfe netted OT goals for the Spartans while Gates Abrams replied for Niagara on a penalty shot. It was Abrams third goal of the game.
Brett Erskine added four goals for St. Catharines while Evan Scott, Brett Pace and Jason Sawicki added single goals. Also scoring for Niagara were Brennan Ferguson (2), Connor Overstrom, Austin Wright and Luc Chatelaine.
In Sunday’s game, Abrams (2), Seth Ferguson, Robert McMicking, Zac Dubuc, Wade Kenny, Dave D’Agostino, John Wagner and Brad Thomas scored for the Thunderhawks. Replying with goals for the Spartans were Danny Blocho (4), Kyle Adams (2), Erskine and Cam Philips.
Game 3 of the series goes Tuesday at 8 p.m. at the Meridian Credit Union Arena in Virgil.
The Spartans opened the best-of-five Ontario Lacrosse Association junior B series with a 9-8 overtime victory in Niagara-on-the-Lake Friday before the Thunderhawks responded with a 9-8 triumph at the Spartans’ home at the Merritton Arena Sunday.
“The bottom line is that it’s good lacrosse and both teams are hungry,” Thunderhawks head coach Randy Chrysler said.
Despite the Thunderhawks finishing the regular season at 17-3 compared to 10-10 for the Spartans, Chrysler expected a tough series.
“You interviewed me the first day and I told you that this would be a hard-fought series,” he said. “They have good coaching, the kids never give up and their work ethic has grown so much from the beginning of the year to the playoffs.”
Spartans head coach Rob McKibbon also isn’t surprised by his team’s performance.
“We improved tremendously over the season and the last 5-10 games we have really jelled as a team and bought into the system that we have tried to teach them all year,” he said. “We had some guys trying to carry the team too much on their shoulders and now everyone is trusting each other and it’s showing on the floor.”
McKibbon always had the confidence his squad could defeat the Thunderhawks in a playoff series, but he is a long way from guaranteeing a victory.
“We have to keep working hard, do what we’re doing, get good goaltending and a little bit of luck doesn’t hurt,” he said. “Everyone needs a little bit of luck on their side.”
In Friday’s opener, Niagara forced overtime by out-scoring the Spartans 5-1 in the third period. Brandon Carter and Colton DeWolfe netted OT goals for the Spartans while Gates Abrams replied for Niagara on a penalty shot. It was Abrams third goal of the game.
Brett Erskine added four goals for St. Catharines while Evan Scott, Brett Pace and Jason Sawicki added single goals. Also scoring for Niagara were Brennan Ferguson (2), Connor Overstrom, Austin Wright and Luc Chatelaine.
In Sunday’s game, Abrams (2), Seth Ferguson, Robert McMicking, Zac Dubuc, Wade Kenny, Dave D’Agostino, John Wagner and Brad Thomas scored for the Thunderhawks. Replying with goals for the Spartans were Danny Blocho (4), Kyle Adams (2), Erskine and Cam Philips.
Game 3 of the series goes Tuesday at 8 p.m. at the Meridian Credit Union Arena in Virgil.
