BLC Strike First with Opening Round Playoff Win Over Brampton

By Mark Stehlin

The Brooklin Lacrosse Club hosted the Brampton Excelsiors last night in game one of a best three-of-five opening round playoff series. These teams have had some epic battles over the years and it appeared after a close first period that that may continue. On this night, the homeside went to work in the middle frame to open the lead and keep the Excelsiors off the scoreboard, en route to a 10-5 win and 1-0 lead in the series.

Starting goalies were Zach Higgins for Brooklin and Will Johnston for Brampton. 

- photo by Mark Stehlin

BLC jumped out of the gate quickly as Brady Kearnan, with his first of three, notched one with just 0:30 off the clock. Curtis Knight added to the tally just three minutes later and it looked like it might be a very good night for the homeside. Playoff lacrosse is different, as fans know, and Brampton scored two of their own in a thirty second span in the middle of that period and it was 4-2 for Brooklin after one frame. 

The home team came out to play in the second period and made a statement of their own.  The teams traded chances in that period and it wasn't until the middle of the frame that Brooklin eventually scored. Austin Shanks scored two that period and a four goal unanswered run gave Brooklin an 8-2 lead after 40 minutes.  Unfortunately for Brampton, starter Will Johnston left the game in the second period with what appeared to be hamstring issue and Caleb Slinger entered in relief.

The Excelsiors continued to battle and scored the opening two goals in the final 20 minutes to close the gap to 8-4 but that was as close as they got. The home side displayed a solid defensive effort to shut their guests down the rest of the way. Jackson Raposo on a strong solo effort, and Shanks with his fourth of the game, finished the job in the 10-5 win and 1-0 series lead.

Scoring for Brooklin - Shanks (4,1) D Robinson (0,1) O'Connor (0,2) T Cook (0,2) Theede (0,1) Waters (0,1) Watkinson (0,1) Byrne (0,1) Raposo (1,0) Belter (1,0) Chaykowsky (0,2) B Kearnan (3,1) Knight (1,0). Higgins took the win saving 45 of the 50 shots that came his way, earning him player of the game honours.

Head coach Joel Johnson said "I was happy with the effort,  I thought the chances we had we made the most of and we worked hard for the win."

Johnson added "while the win does give us confidence I reminded the group that we can always get better and as we go deeper in the playoffs we need to continue to minimize our mistakes."

These teams will meet Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at the Brampton Memorial Arena and back to Iroquois Park Sports Centre for game three on Tuesday July 23 at 8:00 p.m.  In the other playoff series that started tonight, Cobourg defeated Oakville by a score of 17-9. Peterborough and Owen Sound kick off Thursday night in Peterborough.

- photo by Sam Hossack 

- photo by Greg Linton