Ontario vs. British Columbia Game Recap

Day Three of the 2018 Midget Lacrosse Nationals started with a highly anticipated morning game between Team Ontario and Team British Columbia. Both teams entered the game undefeated, Ontario having accumulated three wins, while BC won both games on Sunday against First Nations and Manitoba.

At the outset of the game, both teams appeared to be evenly matched as the teams exchanged goals throughout the period. Despite an abundance of shots, both Trace Recsky, the goaltender from BC and Will Johnston, the goaltender from Ontario, were able to shut down the majority of the opportunities generated by both offenses. Ontario advanced into the second period with a slim 3-2 lead over the West Coast team.

The second period saw Ontario begin to separate and elongate their one-goal lead. Continued offensive opportunities, tough defense, stout goaltending, and victories in the transition game combined with untimely penalties from BC led Ontario to grow their lead consistently throughout the period. While their offense continued to score the defense held BC scoreless for over thirty minutes, as the game extended into the third period.

The last twenty minutes of the game saw Ontario’s offensive production stifle, but their defense held steadfast, as it would take BC ten minutes into the period before they saw their third goal of the game, despite several unsuccessful man-up opportunities. Ontario and BC would add one goal each in the period and Ontario would win the rivalry game 7-3 and advance to 4-0 in the tournament, while BC dropped to 2-1.

Both teams will play again today, as Ontario takes on First Nations at 3:00 pm MST and BC takes on Saskatchewan in the 6:00 pm MST time slot.

Saskatchewan vs. Nova Scotia Game Recap

The second game of the day featured two fairly evenly matched teams. Nova Scotia, after only a single game on Sunday, began the day looking for their first win of the tournament against a Saskatchewan team that currently held a .500 record after bouts with Manitoba and Ontario. An early physical battle between the two teams resulted in first-period action that had both teams consistently visit the penalty box, however, Nova Scotia’s man-up was able to push the Atlantic team up 3-1 at the end of the first.

The additional two periods saw a continued abundance of penalties on both sides, which resulted in several man-up opportunities and several stints four on four lacrosse. Neither team produced any outstanding offense throughout the game as both defenses continued to make stops. The second period only saw two goals, one for each team, which kept Nova Scotia’s lead at 4-2 at the period's conclusion. The third period mirrored the first two, with multiple penalties and strong defensive play. Saskatchewan was able to pull within one goal before a Nova Scotia breakaway goal put the game out of reach with a little under three minutes to play. Nova Scotia would go on to win 5-3 and move to 1-1 in the tournament as Saskatchewan moves to 1-2.

Saskatchewan will face BC to cap off the games today at 6:00 pm MST, while Nova Scotia will face Manitoba in an early-evening showdown at 4:30 pm MST.

Alberta vs. Manitoba Game Recap

The final game of the afternoon featured a one-sided affair between Alberta and Manitoba. Alberta entered the day 2-1, looking for their third straight win after an opening night loss to Ontario, while Manitoba continued to try and find some measure of consistency along with their first win of the tournament. Early on, a large allotment of possessions saw Alberta play the majority of the period on offense, while their defense allowed very few shots, as the Manitoba offense struggled to produce scoring opportunities. Alberta would exit the first twenty minutes with a modest but strong 3-0 lead.

Frustration for the Manitoba team set in quickly during the second period, exemplified by a five-minute high-sticking penalty lead to two consecutive and quick Alberta man-up goals. Followed by a series of even strength goals that extended their lead by seven. The third period imitated the first two, the Alberta offense continued to score and their defense continued to stifle any sort of attempted scoring opportunities from Manitoba, with the exception of a Manitoba goal on a four-minute extra-man opportunity. Alberta would win the contest 11-2 and improve their record to 3-1 while keeping Manitoba winless in the tournament.

This was Alberta’s only game of the day, as they will prepare to play British Columbia at 1:30 pm MST on Wednesday, while Manitoba will see Nova Scotia later this afternoon at 4:30 pm MST.

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BY DALLAS SMITH

Alberta Lacrosse Association