Ontario vs. First Nations Game Recap

The first game of the afternoon saw an undefeated Ontario team take on a winless First Nations team. Throughout the early minutes of the period, the game looked very much like an undefeated team playing a winless one, as Ontario pushed out to an early 4-1 lead. However, this narrative was quickly diminished as First Nation’s scored three unanswered goals to tie the score at four, as the first period ended.

The second period saw a stalemate throughout the majority of the period, as both teams struggled to score on the opposing defense. Despite the struggle, Ontario managed to score one goal in the period, inching them ahead 5-4 as the period came to a close. The final period saw Ontario lengthen their lead, much like their second period during their morning game against BC. The goals continued to stack up until time expired and Ontario walked away with a 9-5 victory over First Nations. 

Ontario (4-0) will take on Nova Scotia (2-1) tomorrow afternoon at 3:00 pm MST, while First Nations will have a chance to earn their first victory against Nova Scotia at 9:00 am MST.

Manitoba vs. Nova Scotia Game Recap

The second of three late games featured Manitoba and Nova Scotia. Nova Scotia entered the game with a 1-1 record having beaten Saskatchewan earlier in the morning. Conversely, the Manitoba team entered the contest winless having lost to Alberta in their respective morning match-up. This was undoubtedly the closest scoring match of the afternoon, as both teams exchanged goals throughout the game while accumulating their fair share of penalties. 

However, the story of this game lies after the sixty-minute mark that found both teams tied at eight. A five minute overtime period, the first of the tournament, would decide the winner. To add to this excitement, or nervousness in the case of Nova Scotia fans, was a checking from behind penalty that occurred in the winding seconds of the third period that would look to leave them short-handed for four of the five minutes of overtime. Nevertheless, this seemingly insurmountable adversity was overcome off a Manitoba turnover near the top of the floor that gave Nova Scotia a short-handed breakaway goal, which would end up being the only goal scored in overtime. Nova Scotia took the game 9-8 and moved to 2-1 in the tournament, as Manitoba fell to 0-4. 

Both teams will be back in action tomorrow as Nova Scotia will play both First Nations(0-3) and Ontario(4-0), while Manitoba will play a single game against Ontario at 10:30 am MST. 

British Columbia vs. Saskatchewan Game Recap

The fans of the sixth and final game of the day witnessed a rather one-sided affair, as Team Saskatchewan struggled in multiple areas against Team BC. Despite an opening goal from Saskatchewan that bred life into its players and fans, BC would answer with four straight goals and close out the period with a 4-1 lead. 

Team Saskatchewan, scarred with turnovers in the second period, most notably at the top of the floor, the first two of which results in consecutive man-down breakaway goals followed by an even-strength breakaway goal. The resulting turnovers and difficulty in stopping BC’s transition game resulted in a sizeable 9-1 lead heading into the third period. With an eight-goal advantage and most-importantly only one goal allowed on defense, the game was seemingly out of reach for the Saskatchewan team. BC continued to cruise to a 10-2 victory bringing their record to 3-1, while Saskatchewan dropped to 1-3.

BC will compete against Alberta(3-1) tomorrow in the 1:30 pm MST time slot, as Saskatchewan, will prepare for an evening bout with First Nations(0-3) tomorrow at 4:30 pm MST. 

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BY DALLAS SMITH

Alberta Lacrosse Association