Redmen Open the 2014 Season with a Win

It was a night of firsts at Iroquois Park Sports Centre as the Brooklin Redmen hosted the Brampton Excelsiors in Major Series Lacrosse action. Redmen newcomers Dan Lintner, Shayne Jackson and Curtis Knight all scored their first goals in a Redmen uniform (three for Knight and two for Jackson). Those six goals helped the home side en route to an 11-7 win over the Excelsiors.

The Redmen went with Steve Fryer in the pipes while Brampton coaches gave the nod to Tye Belanger. Both sides had good chances in the opening frame as the teams went back and forth resulting in a 2-2 tie after 20 minutes.

The Excelsiors went on a three goal run in a two minute span to open a 5-2 lead to start the second period . As the period approached the halfway mark, the Redmen found the net and scored three of their own in just over a minute. The teams went to break with the visitors up by a score of 6-5.

It would be the Redmen who would not be denied on this night as they took control in the third period. Knight got his second of the night followed by Jackson’s first a few moments later on a nice shot from the right side of the crease. Two power play goals in a six goal third period for the Redmen would be the difference tonight as the home side gave their fans a win to start the 2014 season.

Mark Gardonio and Brent McCauley assessed a total 28 minutes in penalties with BRAMPTON getting 22 minutes on 7 infractions and BROOKLIN with 6 minutes on 3 infractions. The Redmen were 2 for 5 on the power play while their guests could not capitalize on the extra man.

Molson-Coors three stars were Shawn Williams with five assists, Curtis Knight with a hat trick and a helper and Shayne Jackson with two goals and three assists.

The Redmen are on the road Thursday night in Peterborough and off to Kitchener Waterloo on Sunday before they return home in a week when they host the Kodiaks in a rematch on June 11, 2014 at 8 pm.