Merchants Pull Out Win Late In Third

Written by Gary Groob  - All Lacrosse All The Time

The Hamilton Bengals traveled east to face the Brooklin Merchants in game one of their best of five playoff series in Ontario Series Lacrosse action at the Luther Vipond Memorial Arena. 

Like the Six Nations vs. Owen Sound series, this also has a chance to be a very competitive, high scoring series. 

The goaltending match-up had Dylan Sprentz in net for the Bengals facing Deacan Knott in net for the Merchants. 

A very evenly played game had it tied with just 3:30 left.  Late goals from Parker Pipher and Zac Carrigan seal the victory for the Merchants.  Brooklin wins 9-7.

To The Game:

The Bengals got on the board first with Shane Halliwell scoring on a great individual effort unassisted at 3:32, but Kellen Pulera blasted a John Wheller pass in at 7:17 to tie the game. 

Aidan Buis gave Hamilton the lead once again converting a Halliwell feed at 11:20.

After one period, Hamilton 2 Brooklin 1.

Second Period:

The Merchants took over the game in the second period.   Parker Pipher tied the game with an outside blast off an Alexis Simard pass at 3:24, followed by Devon Pipher blasting a Ben MacDonnell pass shorthanded at 5:14.  Trent Boyd added a power-play goal to increase the Merchamts lead to two.

Trevor McDonald stopped the Brooklin run with a low to low shot off a Shane Halliwell pass at 9:48, but Eddie Renaud responded on the power-play with a blast off a Christian Watts pass at 13:33.

Cam Milligan brought Hamilton closer, but late goals from Eddie Renaud and Devon Pipher staked the Merchants to a three goal lead at the break.

After two periods, Brooklin 7 Hamilton 4.

Third Period:

Hamilton pushed the tempo in the third period and were rewarded.  Adam Hawrelak opened the scoring with a laser off a Tye Argent pass at 0:25 seconds, followed by Shane Halliwell with his second of the game off a Hawrelak feed at 4:56.  Cam Milligan added a goal and we were tied 7-7.

Late in the game the Merchants managed a push.  Parker Pipher added a goal to give the Merchants the lead at 16:30, followed by Zac Carrigan sealing the deal with just 0:19 seconds remaining for the Brooklin win.

Final score, Brooklin 9 Hamilton 7.

The Three Stars:

1. Devon Pipher 
2. Shane Halliwell 
3. Parker Pipher 

Brooklin takes a 1-0 series lead in their best of five playoff series.