Redmen Drop Close One to Rock on Scott McMichael Minor Lacrosse Night
The Redmen paid homage to their fallen teammate # 23 Scott McMichael last night with the annual minor lacrosse night named in his honour. The results of the game would have no impact on the final standings as the Redmen had third place locked up and their opponents, the Oakville Rock, were guaranteed the final playoff seeding, of course both teams wanted to win for the sake of momentum heading in to the playoffs. In added interest last night, Scott's son Ryan (wearing # 18) joined his brother Mitch in the Redmen lineup and played in the game with their father undoubtedly looking on with pride. Each of the McMichael boys made the score-sheet, one assist for Ryan and two for Mitch.
The Rock kept the Redmen to one goal in the first period and shut them out in the middle frame en route to a 7-6 win. Zach Higgins suited up in net for the Redmen after an absence due to international duties with Israel (coached by Brad MacArthur) at the European Box Lacrosse Championships in Turku, Finland earlier this month (won by Israel) and Nick Rose was in for Oakville.
After forty minutes and a 4-1 lead for Oakville, that turned into a 5-1 lead with two minutes off the clock in the third, the Redmen found a new gear and played with a sense of energy that made the final frame far closer. The Redmen went on a three goal run in the middle of the period and it was 6-5 for Oakville with seven minutes to go. The Rock scored on an empty netter that followed a Redmen time out with forty seconds on the clock. Dan Lintner notched one in the dying seconds but that would not be enough as the Redmen (7-9-2) dropped their regular season finale to the Rock (7-10-1).
Andrew Ecclestone and Mike Sullivan were assigned referees for the game and had a relatively quiet night as only three minors were assessed, all to Oakville. The Redmen were 1 for 3 on the extra man and the Rock scored a shorthanded goal in the third to extend their lead to 6-1 before the Redmen mounted their offensive run.
Major Series Lacrosse playoffs start next week, stay tuned to traditional and social media for full schedule.