The James Gang End The Season On A Winning Note

Written by Gary Groob  - All Lacrosse All The Time 

The Ennismore James Gang (2-13-1) visited the Clearview Crushers (3-12-1) in Ontario Series Lacrosse action Sunday afternoon at the Stayner Arena in Stayner, Ontario. 

For both teams, this is their last game of the season.  A year that saw many ups and downs, but overall both programs, though young, showed marked improvement.  
Ennismore is on the cusp of doing great things.  With players like Carter Page (12g,15a), Adam Churchill (13g,13a), Holden Lowes (14g,7a) and Taylor Dooley (9g,11a) big things are on the horizon.

Clearview has had some great games this year that just didn't end in their favor. Three one goal losses and one tie could easily have gone the other way sitting them comfortably in the playoffs.  With Gareth Haigh (28g,32a), Graham Bergsma (4g,33a), Angus Rawding (17g,14a), Braydon Hickey (11g,16a) and Cole Hanrahan (10g,11a) this team has plenty of talent. 

The goaltending match-up had Andrew Kidd in net for Ennismore facing Nate Jollymore in net for Clearview. 

In a game that took a while for the offenses to get rolling, had everyone on their feet by the end.  Up 1-0 after one period, the James Gang and Crushers went punch for punch, goal for goal throughout the second for an Ennismore 4-3 lead.

The third period had the team pot twelve goals between them (six each).  Let by Carter Page (3g,0a) and Holden Lowes (2g,1a), Ennismore got up by four with little time left in the game.  Braydon Hickey (3g,0a) led the comeback that stopped just short.  The James Gang held on for a 10-9 victory. 

To The Game:

In a low scoring, defensive period, Nick Webb was the only one to find mesh on a great individual effort unassisted at 19:09.

After one period, Ennismore 1 Clearview 0.

Second Period:

The teams traded goals a few times to start the second period.  Curtis Martin increased the James Gang lead to two with a low to low shot off a Riley Caldwell pass at 1:45, but Nile Cyr cut the lead in half with a blast off a Jordan Roberts pass at 2:40.  Nick Webb gave Ennismore a two goal lead once more with his second goal of the game unassisted at 9:09.

Graham Bergsma cut the lead once again for the Crushers with an unassisted talley off a turnover at 10:41, followed by Jordan Roberts tying the game off a Nile Cyr feed at 12:18.

The James Gang took the lead late in the second period with Adam Churchill scoring in transition with a nice shot to the far corner off a Riley Caldwell pass at 17:33,.

After two periods, Ennismore 4 Clearview 3.

Third Period:

Adam Churchill opened the third period scoring in transition with a bounced shot off a Holden Lowes pass at 0:54 seconds, but a pair of goals from Clearview had this game tied midway through the period.  Riley Morgan scored unassisted, followed by Spencer Andrews finishing a Scott Edwards pass at 8:38.  Braydon Hickey then gave the Crushers the lead at 10:09.  

A natural hat-trick from Carter Page had the James Gang up by two with 6:15 to play, followed by Holden Lowes adding two more to bring it to a four goal lead at 16:46.

Clearview made it interesting scoring three late goals.  Braydon Hickey had a pair, followed by Jake Dithurbide with a blast off an Angus Rawding pass with 0:54 seconds left.

With the goalie on the bench the Crushers pressured, but Ennismore was able to hang on for the win.

Final score, Ennismore 10 Clearview 9.

The Three Stars:

1. Carter Page 
2. Braydon Hickey 
3. Adam Churchill