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Overcoming adversity, Rivermen head to senior B final

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The Six Nations Rivermen are heading to the Ontario Series Lacrosse final following some serious adversity in the senior B semifinals against the Owen Sound North Stars.

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After dropping the first game in the best-of-five semifinal series, Six Nations won three straight games against Owen Sound to move on to the championship. Their opponent in the final won’t be known until late Tuesday night when the Oakville Titans and Brooklin Merchants play a deciding game in their best-of-five semifinal.

The series between Six Nations and Owen Sound started with a bang. In a Game 1 road win by Owen Sound, a brawl erupted near the end of the contest, resulting in several suspensions.

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After Six Nations evened things with a Game 2 win, the location of Game 3 became an issue.

Instead of being able to play on their home floor – Gaylord Powless Arena – the Rivermen were told by the league that Game 3 would have to take place at the Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre.

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No official release was sent out by the league about the change of location but it was assumed that the relocation was because of the fights that took place in Game 1 at the Powless arena.

There was some bewilderment as to why the league chose to play Game 3 in Brantford rather than at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena on Six Nations. Regardless, the Rivermen went to work, taking a 7-5 lead midway through the third period.

When Owen Sound stormed back and scored two times in the game’s final minute, overtime was needed. In the extra session, the North Stars scored first before the Rivermen replied four times to secure an eventual 11-10 win.

Zach Williams (one goal, three assists), Jon Williams (2G, 1A), Zed Williams (1G, 2A), Riley Johnson (2G, 1A) and Greg Longboat Jr. (1G, 2A) led the offence for Six Nations as Warren Hill picked up the win in goal.

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In Game 4, the Rivermen again looked well on their way to the win, taking an 8-5 lead early in the third. But once again, the North Stars weren’t packing it in, scoring three times late in the game on their home floor to force overtime.

Joe Maracle Jr. was the only player able to score in the extra session, securing a 9-8 win for Six Nations.

Zed Williams (2G, 4A), Riley Johnson (1G, 3A) and Joe Maracle Jr. (3G, 1A) all had great offensive games for the Rivermen and once again, Hill was the winner in goal.

Six Nations had seven players who missed the game due to suspension.

It is the third straight season that the Rivermen have eliminated the North Stars.


MAJOR SERIES LACROSSE – Six Nations Chiefs

Two losses last week means that the Six Nations Chiefs will be battling for second place rather than first in Major Series Lacrosse.

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Six Nations lost 7-5 and 12-6 in back-to-back games against Peterborough last week, ensuring that the Lakers will take first place.

Cody Jamieson (1G, 2A), Tehoka Nanticoke (2G), Randy Staats (2A) and Dhane Smith (2A) were the leaders for the Chiefs in the 7-5 loss while Shayne Jackson (2G, 2A), Chris Cloutier (1G, 2A), Brendan Bomberry (2G), Cody Jamieson (2A) and Dhane Smith (1G, 1A) paced the offence in the 12-6 loss.


OLA JUNIOR B – Six Nations Rebels

The Six Nations Rebels will play for the provincial championship.

Six Nations defeated the Hamilton Bengals 3-0 in a best-of-five semifinal series and the Rebels now will play the Akwesasne Indians in the best-of-five final.

The winner of the provincial championship will advance to the Canadian Lacrosse Association’s Founders’ Cup tournament scheduled to run from Aug. 12-18 in Winnipeg.

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Holding a 1-0 lead in the series against Hamilton, Six Nations finished things off with wins of 7-2 and 14-4.

Weylon Abrams (4G) had a huge game in the 7-2 win with support from Sidney Powless (3A), Daris Anderson (1G, 1A), Marshall Powless (1G, 1A) and Chayton King (1G, 1A).

Marshall Powless (1G, 4A), Sidney Powless (2G, 3A) and Wes Whitlow (1G, 3A) had big offensive nights in the 14-4 victory.

Briley Miller was the winner in goal for both games.


OLA JUNIOR C – Brantford Warriors

The Brantford Warriors have their work cut out for them.

After tying their best-of-five west division final against the Fergus Thistles 1-1, Brantford is down 2-1 following a Sunday home loss.

The Warriors tied the series with a 6-5 road win on Friday.

Jayden Drage (3G), Trevor McDonald (3A) and Michael Comeau (3A) led the way to the win in Game 2. Jackson Miller made 24 saves to earn the win in goal.

Tied 3-3 in the second period of Game 3, Fergus took off by outscoring Brantford 5-2 for the remainder of the frame on its way to a 10-8 victory.

Jayden Drage (2G, 2A), Ryan Dorr (1G, 3A) and Dalton Thomas (3A) provided excellent offence but it wasn’t enough.

bsmiley@postmedia.com
twitter.com/expbsmiley

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