The Vancouver Warriors traveled east to face the Ottawa Black Bears Friday night in Week 8 action. The Warriors were coming off a loss to San Diego that left many questioning a lock of both team chemistry and the ability to take control of games when needed. Meanwhile, the Black Bears made a statement the week prior, going into Buffalo and emerging victorious. However, fortunes would reverse for both teams, as Vancouver got off to a quick start and led by as much as seven goals in a 12-8 victory.
Warriors give a glimpse of their full potential in first half
Vancouver caught fire from the opening faceoff, with Shane Simpson (1:27) getting on the board first. Ottawa got into penalty trouble early, and power play goals from Curtis Dickson (4:58) and Jesse King (5:40) extended the lead to 3-0. Larson Sundown (6:08) broke the run, but King’s second goal (8:37) and an empty net goal from Matt Beers (13:37) pushed the Warriors’ lead to 5-1. Connor Kearnan (14:05) got one back for Ottawa to make it 5-2 after one quarter.
The Warriors kept their foot on the gas in the second quarter. Goals from Simpson (1:12), Dickson (2:22), Adam Charalambides (5:07) and Keegan Bal (5:35) gave Vancouver a 9-2 lead. Jeff Teat (6:27) ended the run, but Bal scored again (10:46) to make it 10-3. The Black Bears closed the gap in the waning minutes of the second quarter, with goals from Sam Firth (11:43), Teat (11:55), and Kearnan (13:47 power play) cutting the deficit to 10-6 at halftime.
Warriors win moves them into tie for second place in standings
The second half was much quieter by comparison. Bal’s hat trick goal (3:06 power play) opened the third quarter, pushing the Warriors’ lead to 11-6. Teat (4:07) and Jacob Dunbar (12:35) pulled Ottawa within 11-8 going into the fourth quarter. A second goal from Charalambides (0:46 fourth quarter) made it 12-8 Vancouver. The Black Bears had several good chances to score in the fourth quarter, but could not convert and fall back to .500 on the season (4-4). The win moves the Warriors to 4-2, currently in a second-place tie with Colorado, who plays Saturday, and Rochester, who is off this week. These teams will meet again in Vancouver in Week 17.
Other Stats Of Note
Warriors: Bal (3g, 2a); King (2g, 4a); Charalambides (2g, 2a); Dickson (2g, 2a); Simpson (2g, 2a); Beers (1g, 1a)
Black Bears: Teat (3g, 3a); Kearnan (2g, 2a); Sundown (1g, 1a); Firth (1g); Dunbar (1g); Rob Hellyer (4a); Reilly O’Connor (2a)
Christian Del Bianco’s second quarter assist was the 100th of his career; he becomes just the fourth goaltender in NLL history to achieve the milestone
Jesse King recorded his 200th career goal, and is now one point shy of 600 for his career
Power Play: VAN 3 for 4; OTT 1 for 3
