Byrne's Four-Goal Night Powers Chiefs Past Cobourg

Photo courtesy of Andrew VanEvery 

By Gary Groob 

The Cobourg Kodiaks (1-2) traveled west to face the Six Nations Chiefs (5-0) in Major Series Lacrosse action Tuesday evening.   This was a rematch from a week ago where the Chiefs fired 76 shots at Laine Hruska in a 19-9 victory. 

The goaltending match-up had Laine Hruska in net for Cobourg facing Warren Hill in net for the Chiefs. 

After a scoreless opening stretch, Cobourg controlled much of the first period and built a 3-0 lead behind goals from Aaron Woods, Shane Halliwell, and Alex Marinier. The Kodiaks were generating quality chances and received a strong start from Laine Hruska in goal, while Six Nations struggled to find their offensive rhythm. Andrew Kew's late first-period marker proved to be a momentum-changing goal as it gave the Chiefs life heading into the intermission despite trailing 3-1.

The game completely shifted in the final forty minutes as Six Nations showcased why they remain one of the league's elite clubs. After Kieran McKay restored Cobourg's three-goal advantage early in the second period, the Chiefs erupted with eight unanswered goals. Josh Byrne led the charge with a dominant four-goal performance, while Andrew Kew, Tyson Bell, Latrell Harris, and Travis Longboat all played key roles in the comeback. Six Nations turned defensive stops into transition opportunities, controlled possession, and overwhelmed the Kodiaks with relentless pressure. The Chiefs outscored Cobourg 8-1 over the final two periods to transform a three-goal deficit into an impressive 9-4 victory.

To The Game:

After more than half a period of scoreless play, the Kodiaks opened the scoring with Aaron Woods finishing a Brock Haley pass from the top of the crease at 12:44.  Shane Halliwell then wired a shot from the side of the net off an Alex Marinier pass at 16:47, followed by Marinier himself adding to the lead with a blast from the outside off a Thunder Hill feed at 18:26.

Andrew Kew finally got the Chiefs on the board with a sidearm snipe to the corner off a Travis Longboat pass at 19:50.

After one period, Cobourg 3 Six Nations 1.

Second Period:

Cobourg opened the second period scoring in transition with Kieran McKay scoring from in close off a Taylor Dooley feed a 3:18, but Josh Byrne answered with a blast to the stick side from the outside off a great individual effort unassisted at 4:19.

Tyson Bell brought the game within one in transition off a Dhane Smith pass at 5:49, followed by a power-play marker from Andrew Kew with an outside blast also off a Dhane Smith pass at 16:05.  Josh Byrne then finished a behind the back pass from Chris Cloutier at 17:50 giving Six Nations their first lead of the night.

After two periods, Six Nations 5 Cobourg 4.

Photo courtesy of Andrew VanEvery 

Third Period:

Josh Byrne opened the third period scoring with a highlight-reel goal jumping across the crease unassisted at 1:26, followed by Latrell Harris going coast to coast unassisted off a turnover at 4:26.  Travis Longboat then added to the lead scoring from in close off a Tyson Bell feed at 4:53.

Laine Hruska was replaced with Jackson Brown in the Cobourg net.

Josh Byrne welcomed Brown to the game with his fourth of the game off an Andrew Kew pass at 5:35.

Final score, Six Nations 9 Cobourg 4.

The Three Stars:

1. Josh Byrne 
2. Andrew Kew 
3. Alex Marinier 

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