Redmen Down 1-0 to the Chiefs in Best of Seven Semi Final Series
The Redmen and the Chiefs played twice in the regular season with Brooklin taking an 8-6 win at the ILA in mid June and a last second 7-6 win at home on July 23. Fans knew that games in this semi final series would be equally close. On the strength of a 5-1 lead mid way through the second period the Chiefs took this first game in the best of seven semi final by a score of 9-8. The Redmen were never totally out of this game as evidenced by a three goal run in the third that gave the Chiefs a scare.
With the Ontario Lacrosse Festival in full swing at Iroquois Park the atmosphere in the Des Donavan arena was ideal for playoff action. Two veteran goalies took their positions in net, Mike Poulin for the home side and Brandon Miller for the Chiefs. There was no scoring in the first until the Chiefs opened up on a power play marker with six minutes on the clock and added another two minutes later to take a 2-0 lead to the first break.
The Chiefs opened the lead to 4-1 to start the second and after a scoreless first for the Redmen they were able to solve Miller and answered with three of their own that frame for a 6-3 lead for Six Nations after two periods.
The Redmen were searching for a turning point in the contest and Steve Priolo decided to take matters into his own hands scoring on a gutsy play with two Chief defenders draped on his back. Moments later, Graeme Hossack added some defensive brilliance as he took a shot off the leg in the Redmen net in aid of Poulin who was out of position to stop a sure goal. That gave the home side a measure of inspiration and the Redmen rattled off three unanswered to make it 7-6 Chiefs with just over six minutes to go. However, the Chiefs countered with two of their own to open the gap again to three goals. Kyle Acquin scored his second on the night on a power play and Gavin Prout, with a bullet from the top of the arc made it 9-8 with just over a minute to go but that was as close as the home side would get on this night, Chiefs hang on for the 9-8 win and 1-0 series lead in this best of seven.
The teams will meet Tuesday night at the ILA and back in Whitby on Thursday at 8 pm. The Festival will still be on and great playoff atmosphere will be on display.
In the other MSL playoff semi final, the Peterborough Lakers defeated the Kitchener Waterloo Kodiaks 14-4 for the 1-0 series lead.