Athletics stun Arrows; Spartans back on track
The St. Catharines Athletics pulled off a stunning upset, topping the defending Minto Cup champion Six Nations Arrows 5-2 in Ontario Lacrosse Association action at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena Monday afternoon.
The Athletics led 2-1 after one period, 4-2 after two, and scored the lone goal of the third period.
“It was a huge win for our program today,” A’s general manager Jeff Chcoski said. “From the goaltender (Nick Damude) out, the boys battled for 60 minutes.
“This was a character game and I’m proud of everybody in that room. Now we have to build off that get ready for a home opener.”
Jake McNabb paced the A’s with three goals and an assist while Kyler Kilgour and Kealon Pilon added singles.
A’s captain Latrell Harris felt the club was ready to play right from the opening face-off.
“We were mentally and physically ready to play against Nations,” he said. “Our best games are always against Nations so we have to be 100 per cent ready to compete against them.
“It starts from our goalie Nick (Damude) all the way to the trainers. We were ready to send a message.”
Travis Longboat and Jerry Starts replied for the Arrows.
The A’s opened the season Friday with a 9-7 loss at Brampton.
The Excelsiors jumped out to a 5-2 lead after one before the A’s rallied to tie the game at 5-5 after two.
Alex Pace, Pilon, Sam LeClair, Owen Friesen, Kilgour, McNabb and Mason Kamminga scored for St. Catharines.
The A’s welcome Kitchener-Waterloo Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at Jack Gatecliff Arena.
JUNIOR B
The St. Catharines Spartans have turned their season around after a tough start.
After dropping their first six games of the season, the Spartans have rebounded to win their last three games.
The Spartans began their three-game winning streak last week with an 11-10 win over the Welland Generals followed by a 13-6 win at home over Guelph Friday and an 11-5 triumph over the Port Edwards Pacers at home Sunday.
Peyton McIntosh, Jacob McMillan, Tyler Kodolka and Mario Caito scored two each for the Spartans. Blake Halliday, John Kit and Connor Aquanno added singles in the win over Port Edward. Alex Hornung chipped in with four assists.
Caito and Kodolka had three each in the win over Guelph while Alex Gaston added a pair. Adam Kirchmayer, Kit, Trent Jackson, Jacob Edmands and Aaron Ward added singles. Hornung added four helpers.
The Spartans are at Hamilton Thursday, Owen Sound Saturday and home to the Niagara Thunderhawks Sunday at 7 p.m.
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