Photo courtesy of Cam Mancini Media.
The Brooklin Lacrosse Club (7-6) traveled west to face the Brampton Excelsiors (1-10) in Major Series Lacrosse action Thursday night at the Memorial Arena in Brampton, Ontario.
The goaltending match-up had Zach Higgins in net for Brooklin facing Connor O’Toole in net for the Excelsiors.
These teams match up beautifully every time they meet. They both have solid goaltending, good strong defense, and decent offense. No matter who gets out to a lead, you can bet your life the other team is mounting their comeback…This game was no exception!
Brooklin got off to a good start getting an early lead, but the Excelsiors kept pushing hard. Up 5-2 Brampton was cruising, but with a minute to go Brooklin scored two quick ones to get back in the game.
The second period had Brooklin control the majority of the frame scoring six times. Will MacLeod and Taggert Clark led the way with a pair each in the frame.
The third period was an entirely different story. The Excelsiors defense locked down, not letting Brooklin back on the board. Brampton’s offense came to life with three goals, led by FinlayThomson with a pair. Down by one with almost five minutes left set the stage for another nail-biter finish. The Excelsiors put on the pressure, but Zach Higgins was up to the task in Brooklin’s net to preserve the one goal lead. Brooklin holds on for the 10-9 victory.
To The Game:
Chris Boushy opened the scoring quickly for Brooklin converting a Taggert Clark pass at 1:22, but a pair from Finlay Thomson 2:15 apart, gave the Excelsiors their first lead of the game.
Eddie Renaud tied the game for Brooklin with a low to low outside shot that found the corner off a Chris Boushy feed at 8:46, but Coltrane Tyson gave the lead back to Brampton with a blast off a Finlay Thomson pass at 12:15.
Bowie Horsman increased the Excelsiors lead from in front off a Thomson pass at 16:40, followed by Coltrane Tyson with his second of the period also off a Finn Thomson pass at 17:30 for a 5-2 Brampton lead.
Brooklin mounted a comeback scoring twice in 0:22 seconds. Will MacLeod scored on the power-play off a Sean Westley pass at 18:56, followed by Westley himself converting a Chris Boushy feed at 19:18.
After one period, Brampton 5 Brooklin 4.
Second Period:
The Period started well for Brampton with Rory Graham increasing the Excelsiors lead to three at 0:43 seconds.
Brooklin finally got rolling with Chris Boushy scoring on the power-play off a Will MacLeod lead pass at 4:17, followed by Taggert Clark with a howitzer from the outside off a Sean Westley pass at 4:57 to tie the game.
Holden Garlent added a transition goal off a loose ball unassisted at 6:03, followed by Will MacLeod with a sweet move from in front off a Bo Columbus pass at 6:09.
Brampton replaced Connor O’Toole with Riley Hutchcraft in net.
Taggert Clark added his second of the game with a sidearm snipe off a Sean Westley pass at 10:42, followed by Will MacLeod with his third of the evening off a Taggert Clark pass on the power-play at 14:13.
After two periods, Brooklin 10 Brampton 6.
Third Period:
Mike Triolo started the Brampton comeback with a low to low blast from in front off a Finn Thomson pass at 2:26.
After over half a period of end to end action, the Excelsiors finally solved Zach Higgins. Finn Thomson scored twice 1:00 apart. The first goal he wired an outside shot to the corner off a Bowie Horsman feed at 13:51, followed by a transition marker off a Mark Watters pass at 14:51.
Brampton kept the pressure for the remainder of the game, but just couldn’t solve the exceptional goaltending of Zach Higgins. Brooklin holds on for the one goal win.
Final score, Brooklin 10 Brampton 9.
The Three Stars:
1. Will MacLeod
2. Finlay Thomson
3. Zach Higgins
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