BLC Take the Win in a Tight Battle on the Road

By Mark Stehlin

For members of the BLC, it was a Sunday afternoon visit to Brampton as they faced the Excelsiors in game two of their best three-of-five playoff series.  The visitors had the goal of taking a 2-0 series lead, after last week's 10-5 win at home. This afternoon's contest was certainly closer. Brampton fought to gain a win and not face the task of coming back from two games down in the series.  Led by Whitby Warrior Jr A call-up Lucas Littlejohn with four goals, three from Brady Kearnan and solid goaltending down the stretch by Riley Hutchcraft, the visitors took the 8-7 win and 2-0 series lead.

- photo by Sam Hossack 

The homeside managed to get an early lead before Brady Kearnan scored twice in a two minute span to regain the edge. Littlejohn and rookie Alexis Simard also added goals and it was 4-1 for BLC heading to the first break. Simard's marker came just as the PA announcer finished stating "last minute to play in the period."

The Excelsiors scored first in the middle frame as well, adding a second to make it 4-3 with four minutes off the clock. The teams traded goals and the second ended 3-3 giving BLC a 7-4 lead after two periods. Littlejohn scored two of his four in that period.

It would be a valiant effort for the home team in the third and a defensive stand, led by Hutchcraft in the BLC net, that best described the final 20 minutes. The Excelsiors scored with 1:37 on the clock to close the gap to 8-7. They enjoyed a couple of possessions in the dying seconds but Hutchcraft put the team on his back and stymied the offensive threat by the Excelsiors, who won that period 3-1 but BLC took the 8-7 win and 2-0 series lead. Hutchcraft was the well-deserved player of the game for BLC.

Adam Perroni and Alexis Simard changed and showered quickly and headed for Hamilton to suit up for the Brooklin Merchants who faced the Bengals in game two of their Ontario Series Lacrosse League semi-final series. 

- photo by Mark Stehlin

Scoring for Brooklin - B Kearnan (3,1) Chaykowsky (0,1) Westley (0,1) Simard (1,0) Watkinson (0,1) Waters (0,3) Tapper (0,1) Littlejohn (4,0) Keenan (0,1)

Coach Joel Johnson said "our guys played hard and it was good to get the win, maybe a little closer at the end than we wanted". 

Johnson added "we had some young guys out there and it was good for them to get a chance to play and take advantage of these opportunities."

On the Major Series Lacrosse Coaching Staff of the Year honour he said "it was nice to get the recognition but it is a collective effort and speaks to our depth on and off the floor."

Zach Higgins spoke about his MSL Most Valuable Player of the Year award. He said "it was a cool honour but it was surprising for sure."

He added "there is a lot of lacrosse left to play, we are focused on the next game and want to take this series and go for a deep playoff run."

Higgins was in New Westminster for the last two summers adding "it was a good learning experience out West but it's good to be back home and play with so many guys that I know."

Game three is set for Tuesday July 23 at 8 pm at IPSC and BLC will look to wrap the series up that night.