Lakers Prevail in a Thriller at IPSC
A very close battle back and forth all night, teams tied at 9-9 after two with a seven-goal second period by the Redmen. The Redmen were happy to have Shawn Williams back in the fold and as always he delivered. On the strength of a five-assist performance, he was named the Molson-Coors first star. It would not be enough however as the Lakers took the 11-10 victory scoring the winner with less than two minutes showing on the clock in the final frame.
The Redmen got on the board first as Mike Melnychenko scored his first of two in the period with three minutes off the clock. The Lakers countered with five of their own including a pair of fast breaks in the last five minutes with Brad Self and Nick Weiss in alone on Zach Higgins, they each capitalized for the 5-2 lead for the visitors after twenty,
Shayne Jackson answered for the home side in the second before most fans made the trek from the Redmen Booster lounge back to their seats. The Lakers opened the wound a little wider with two more to chase Higgins from the net in favour of Steve Fryer. That move seemed to settle the troops as the Redmen went on to outscore their guests 6-2 after that to knot the game at 9-9.
The Redmen struck again early in the third this time with just 14 seconds off the clock to take the lead. They held it with solid defence until the midway mark of the third before Aaron Wilson struck to tie the contest followed by Mark Steenhuis with his third on the night and eventual winner with 1:50 on the clock. The home side made a valiant effort to try and force overtime but a last second attempt was unsuccessful.
The Redmen are in Oakville on Monday for an 8 pm start and host the Rock on Wednesday June 25 at 8 pm for their annual Scott McMichael Minor Lacrosse Night.
Molson Coors three stars: 3rd Star Curtis Knight (2,1), 2nd Star from the Lakers Aaron Wilson (2,5) and Williams (0,5).