BLC Roll Over the Rock to Wrap Up Regular Season

By Mark Stehlin

These same teams met two nights ago at the Toronto Rock Athletic Centre and BLC came away with a come from behind to win that contest 13-11. On this night in the friendly confines of Iroquois Park Sports Centre, the home side racked up an impressive 19-10 win. The win also highlighted the offensive depth of the squad as 13 different players notched at least one goal.

BLC won each period by scores of 5-3, 8-5 and 6-2 to take the two points and lock up second place overall.  The game also featured a penalty shot for Oakville, as a BLC defender caught a Rock player up high on a breakaway, and two short-handed goals for BLC on the same Oakville penalty.

As in Monday's tilt it was Brady Kearnan who opened the scoring for the home side and Tanner Cook, fresh off being named to Team Canada for the World Box Lacrosse Championships in Utica, NY in September, scored to open the lead to 2-0. 

- photo by Mark Stehlin

Zach Belter received a two-minute minor at the end of the first period for roughing. The home side countered with two short handed goals on that minor to start the middle frame and spread the lead to 7-3.  BLC rattled off five more unanswered as Oakville had trouble dealing with the offensive onslaught by their hosts.   The Rock did find a spark as they countered with three quick ones of their own but that would not be enough and it was 13-8 for BLC after the second period.

- photo by Mark Stehlin

It was more of the same in the final frame as BLC took the win 19-10 good to solidify second place in the league standings as their regular season came to a close. There are still a handful of games in the 2024 Major Series Lacrosse campaign.  A look at the standings indicates either Brampton or Owen Sound as their first round opponents in a best three-of-five first round playoff series.

Head coach Joel Johnson said, "I could sense a good level of excitement and confidence in the room before the game." 

He added, "we've had some early leads in the last couple of games that hasn't always gone so well but we wanted to do better tonight and we did."

Johnson added, "the offensive display tonight showed how smart, athletic and talented this line-up can be when we are the top of our game."

He felt "this win was a great way to start the playoffs, we're happy but we have a great deal of work ahead of us and with this level of confidence, good things can happen." 

- photo by Greg Linton

Veteran leader, John LaFontaine named player of the game for his defensive stand and being involved on both aforementioned short-handed markers to start the second period.

Scoring for Brooklin - D Robinson (1,0) O'Connor (2,2) Deaken (0,1) Keenan (0,1) T Cook (2,6) Wagner (0,1) Theede (1,3) K Cook (1,0) Waters (2,1) Byrne (1,0) Lafontaine (1,1) J Robinson (0,1) Belter (1,0) Westley (1,4) C Kearnan (3,2) B Kearnan (2,2) Knight (1,2)  Getting the win in net was Riley Hutchcraft who faced 47 Oakville shots.

The details for the opening best three of five playoff round will be posted. Remember golf tournament on Monday July 22 at Wolf Run GC check with gavin@sbis.ca for all details.