Five-Goal Second Period Surge Sends Six Nations to the MSL Final

By Gary Groob 

The Cobourg Kodiaks traveled west to face the Six Nations Chiefs in Game 3 of the best-of-five semifinal series at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena in Hagersville, Ontario, sponsored by Bergmanis Preyra LLP. 

The goaltending matchup had Laine Hruska in net for Cobourg facing Warren Hill in net for the Chiefs. 

The Six Nations Chiefs punched their ticket to the Major Series Lacrosse final Saturday night, defeating the Cobourg Kodiaks 8-5 at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena to complete a three-game sweep of their best-of-five semifinal series. Cobourg held a 2-1 lead after the opening period and extended the advantage to 4-1 early in the second behind goals from Briley Maxwell and Aaron Woods. From there, the Chiefs completely changed the complexion of the game, erupting for five unanswered goals. Dhane Smith scored three times during the run, while Ryan Smith and Lyle Thompson also found the back of the net to give Six Nations a 6-4 advantage heading into the third.

Smith continued his dominant performance in the final period, scoring his fifth of the night shorthanded off a Tyson Bell feed before Lyle Thompson added another shorthanded marker just 25 seconds later to put the Chiefs firmly in control. Maxwell completed his hat trick with a power-play goal for Cobourg, but Warren Hill and the Six Nations defense shut the door the rest of the way to secure the 8-5 victory. Smith earned first-star honours with four goals, while Maxwell was named second star and Thompson third. With the sweep complete, Six Nations now awaits the winner of the Peterborough Lakers-Oakville Rock semifinal series to determine its opponent in the best-of-seven MSL final.

To The Game:

Six Nations got on the board with Dhane Smith blasting a Randy Staats pass at 6:04, but the Kodiaks replied with a pair of power-play markers.

Briley Maxwell finished an Alex Marinier pass at 9:34, followed by Marinier himself with a blast from the outside off a Zach Thompson pass at 10:10 to take the lead.

After one period, Cobourg 2, Six Nations 1.

Second Period:

Briley Maxwell opened the second period scoring with a blast off a Zach Thompson pass at 27 seconds, followed by a low-to-low laser from Aaron Woods off a Thompson feed as well at 2:33.

Six Nations then exploded for five unanswered goals. 

Dhane Smith converted a Graeme Hossack pass on the power-play in transition at 3:51, followed by Ryan Smith wiring a Cody Jamieson pass at 8:54.

Lyle Thompson tied the game with a highlight-reel goal off a Jamieson feed as well at 10:54, followed by Dhane Smith scoring with a high-to-low bounced shot on the power-play at 16:18. Smith added his third of the game with a howitzer from the outside off a Chris Cloutier feed at 17:51.

After two periods, Six Nations 6, Cobourg 4.

Third Period:

Dhane Smith continued his big night with a shorthanded marker off a Tyson Bell pass in transition at 4:35, followed by Lyle Thompson with another shorthanded tally off a Ryan Smith feed 25 seconds later. 

Briley Maxwell got one back on the power-play with a blast off an Aaron Woods pass at 7:53, but it was too little, too late. 

Final score, Six Nations 8, Cobourg 5.

The Three Stars:

1. Dhane Smith 
2. Briley Maxwell 
3. Lyle Thompson 

Six Nations wins the best-of-five semifinal series 3-0.  They now await the winner of the Peterborough Lakers/Oakville Rock series to see who they will face in the best-of-seven final.

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