A Strong Second Half By The Rock Gives Oakville The Victory

 Photo courtesy of the Oakville Rock Instagram page.

By Gary Groob 

The Owen Sound NorthStars (0-2) traveled to the Toronto Rock Athletic Centre Monday night to face to Oakville Rock (1-0) in Major Series Lacrosse action. 

The goaltending match-up had Kaleb Martin in net for the NorthStars facing Landon Kells in net for the Rock.

Despite controlling much of the game and holding a five-goal cushion at one point, Owen Sound watched the momentum slowly shift as Oakville clawed its way back into the contest. The NorthStars came out flying with Dylan Watson, Riley Ford, Callum Brennan, and Xander Derkatz driving the offense, building an 8-6 lead after two periods while peppering Landon Kells with shots from all angles. Owen Sound's attack generated chances all night, finishing with a commanding 64-40 advantage in shots on goal. 

Oakville, however, refused to go away. Sam LeClair, Tye Steenhuis, Carson Moyer, and Justin Lee sparked a determined comeback, with the Rock erupting early in the third period to erase the deficit and completely swing the game's momentum. Mike McCannell's transition goal gave Oakville its first lead of the night before Steenhuis added the insurance marker that proved to be the difference. Backed by several timely saves from Landon Kells in the closing minutes, the Rock weathered Owen Sound's late pressure to complete an impressive comeback, grabbing an 11-9 victory.

To The Game:

After almost half a period of scoreless action, Owen Sound finally solved Landon Kells with Dylan Watson blasting a Tyler Brown pass at 8:34, followed by Riley Ford on the power-play with a low shot off a Callum Brennan feed at 10:18.

Oakville finally got on the board with newly acquired Sam La Roue converting an Alex Kew pass in transition at 13:41, but Josh Rosa replied with a laser off a Xander Derkatz pass at 14:52.

The NorthStars added to their lead with Callum Brennan finishing a Derkatz feed 0:37 seconds later, but Justin Lee would bring the Rock back in the game off a Jack MacAlpine pass at 15:50.

After one period, Owen Sound 4 Oakville 2.

Second Period:

Dylan Watson opened the second period scoring with a bounced shot off a Callum Brennan pass at 4:14, followed by Xander Derkatz jumping across the crease off a Josh Rosa pass 0:41 seconds later.

Riley Ford added a power-play marker with a bounced shot off a Callum Brennan feed at 6:22, but Carson Moyer ripped a screen shot on the power-play off a Sam LeClair pass at 10:04.

Moyer came back with a great individual effort diving across the crease off a Sam LeClair pass 0:35 seconds later, but Xander Derkatz hit an outside shot to the shortside off a Jackson Webster pass at 13:31 for a four goal NorthStars lead.

Oakville pushed hard in the dying minutes of the period.  Justin Lee scored with a strange bounce from an initial save off a Tye Steenhuis pass at 17:20, followed by Steenhuis himself with a low to low buzzer beater off a Sam LeClair pass at 19:58.

After two periods, Owen Sound 8 Oakville 6.

Third Period:

Sam LeClair opened the third period scoring with a sidearm snipe to the shortside off a Justin Lee pass at 0:33 seconds, followed by Tye Steenhuis with a blast off a Carson Moyer feed 0:27 seconds later to tie the game.

Jackson Webster regained the Owen Sound lead with a twister unassisted at 1:30, but Sam LeClair with a behind the back beauty alone in front off a Jack MacAlpine pass at 3:30 knotted the game up once again. 

Mike McCannell finished a Chris Weier feed in transition to give Oakville their first lead of the night at 7:06, followed by Tye Steenhuis with his third of the night off a Jack MacAlpine feed at 13:46.

The rest of the game saw end to end action with both goalies coming up big, as the Rock were able to hold on for the victory. 

Final score, Oakville 11 Owen Sound 9.
Shots on goal favored the NorthStars 64-40.

The Three Stars:

1. Tye Steenhuis 
2. Landon Kells 
3. Callum Brennan