Athletics knock off Braves in home opener
The pressure to deliver is firmly on Nick Damude’s shoulders this season.
The 20-year-old netminder is expected to handle the bulk of the duties between the pipes for the St. Catharines Athletics and he couldn’t be more pumped for the challenge.
Damude turned back 35 shots Wednesday as the Athletics defeated the Kitchener-Waterloo Braves 7-4 in their Ontario Lacrosse Association junior A home opener at Jack Gatecliff Arena.
The win was the third in as many games for the A’s while the Braves are winless after two starts.
“This is my last year so I’m looking forward to every minute of it,” Damude said. “I want to be in the pipes as much as I can.
“It’s lacrosse and I have love playing it so I just want to go out and have fun every shift.”
Damude had a strong season last year for the A’s where he appeared in 17 games.
“Last year, I got a little taste of it (being the starting goaltender) but this year it’s good the team has confidence in me and that just makes me play that much better knowing I have them and the coaching staff behind me.”
A’s coach Steve Toll left no doubt Damude is their man.
“He knows it, the NLL knows it, and everyone else knows it — he’s one of the top goaltenders his age in Canada,” Toll said. “There is no one else his age I’d rather have.”
Damude was on the practice roster of the Rochester Knighthawks of the National Lacrosse League this past season after being selected in the second round of the NLL draft.
“I had some of best shooters in the world shooting on me all winter,” he said. “It was good for my confidence and morale. All the guys in the room know I had that happen to me.”
The A’s led 3-2 after one period and 5-4 after 40 minutes before buckling down in the third.
“The third is closing it out,” Damude said. “You always want to send a statement to them going home so they have something to think about. Send them a message.
“We didn’t give them much all game and then really tightened it up in the third and shut them down.”
Toll will take the win.
“Sometimes when you don’t play your best at all times you find a way to win,” he said. “When we play five-on-five with most teams, I like our chances.
“We’re not going to score 10 every game. We’re still missing some pretty big guns. I’m proud of all guys tonight. The guys who came in from junior B (Sam LeClair, Connor Aquanno) played really well.”
A’s acorns: Alex Simmons and Riley Curtis are both still away at school and were scratched . . . Brett Erskine (ankle), Gavin McGregor, Trent Jackson and John Kit also did not dress . . . A moment of silence was held for long time A’s supporter Dickie Dickson.
Athletics 7 Braves 4
BPSN Star of the Game: A’s forward Kealan Pilon with a goal and four assists.
St. Catharines Athletics: Pilon; Jake McNabb 2; Sam LeClair 2; Tyler Brown 2.
Kitchener-Waterloo Braves: Scott DelZotto 2; Andrew Borgatti, Trent DiCiccio.
Shots on goal: By Kitchener-Waterloo on Nick Damude (39), by St. Catharines on Cole Martin (44).
Up next: The A’s host Burlington Saturday at 7 p.m.
SUPPORT US
On the right side of our web site, you will notice a yellow SUPPORT US button.
We are asking anyone who finds value in our work and is able to financially help us to click on the button and contribute whatever amount you feel is appropriate and can afford. There is no set amount. Any amount is appreciated.
The funds collected will be used to enhance and offset the expenses of running the web site.
