Chiefs Break Open Tie Game With Eight-Goal Third-Period Outburst

By Gary Groob 

The Oakville Rock (4-2) traveled west to face the Six Nations Chiefs (7-0) in Major Series Lacrosse action Tuesday evening at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena in Haggersville, Ontario. 

The goaltending match-up had Landon Kells in net for the Rock facing Warren Hill in net for the Chiefs. 

The Oakville Rock went toe-to-toe with the undefeated Six Nations Chiefs for forty minutes, matching the league leaders stride for stride in a tightly contested battle. Oakville struck first just 32 seconds into the game and carried that confidence throughout the opening two periods. Every time the Chiefs found an answer, the Rock responded, resulting in a 2-2 deadlock after one period and a 3-3 tie heading into the final frame. Goaltender Landon Kells was outstanding for Oakville, turning aside numerous quality opportunities as Six Nations steadily increased the pressure and territorial advantage throughout the night.

The game turned dramatically in the third period. After Carson Moyer briefly restored Oakville's lead early in the frame, the Chiefs unleashed an overwhelming offensive surge. Andrew Kew sparked the rally with three third-period goals, while Six Nations received additional scoring from Dawson Theede, Brad Kri, Josh Byrne, Ryan Smith, and Latrell Harris. Fueled by relentless transition play, special teams success, and a dominant offensive attack, the Chiefs exploded for eight unanswered goals in the final fifteen minutes to pull away for an 11-4 victory, extending their perfect record while handing Oakville a tough road defeat.

To The Game:

Oakville opened the scoring when Alex Kew finished a Chris Weier pass in transition just 32 seconds into the game, but Tim Edwards answered finishing an Ian MacKay rush at 2:58 with a shot from in close.

Sam La Roue fired an absolute howitzer from the outside off a Jack MacAlpine feed at 10:36 to restore the Rock lead, but with only 3.8 seconds left in the period Ryan Smith converted an Andrew Kew pass to tie the game heading to the intermission. 

After one period, Oakville 2 Six Nations 2.

Second Period:

After more than half a period of end to end action Dhane Smith finally solved Landon Kells on a breakaway unassisted at 11:16, but a laser from Alex Simmons off a Brooks English pass 34 seconds later knotted the game once again.

*Of note, the Chiefs ramped up their intensity throughout the period.   Landon Kells was absolutely sensational in the Oakville net, denying many Six Nations opportunities to keep this game close.

After two periods, Oakville 3 Six Nations 3.

Third Period:

Oakville opened the third period scoring with Carson Moyer scoring from out front off a Sam LeClair pass at 2:53, but Andrew Kew responded with a blast to the top corner off a Cody Jamieson pass at 4:03 to again tie the game. 

Kew then quick sticked a Dhane Smith feed shorthanded to give the Chiefs the lead at 5:30, followed by a low to high blast from Dawson Theede on the power-play to open a two goal lead at 8:09.  

Brad Kri had a dribbler beat Kells off a Graeme Hossack feed in transition at 11:27, followed by Josh Byrne with a quick stick off a Dhane Smith pass at 12:28.  

The late onslaught continued with Andrew Kew adding his third of the period with a sidearm snipe from a Ryan Smith feed at 14:55, followed by Smith himself placing a shot over Kells shoulder off a Dawson Theede pass at 15:40.  Latrell Harris added a late maker going in all alone off a turnover at 18:27.

Final score, Six Nations 11 Oakville 4.

The Three Stars:

1. Andrew Kew 
2. Warren Hill 
3. Ryan Smith 

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