Oakville Erupts For Six Third-Period Goals To Complete Comeback Victory

By Gary Groob 

The Oakville Rock (3-1) traveled to face the Owen Sound NorthStars (0-5) Saturday evening in Major Series Lacrosse action, at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Arena in Owen Sound, Ontario. 

The goaltending match-up had Evan Constantopolous in net for Oakville facing Andrew Kidd in net for the NorthStars. 

The Oakville Rock erased a two-goal deficit and exploded for six third-period goals to rally past the Owen Sound NorthStars 10-8 on Saturday night at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Arena. Owen Sound carried a 3-1 lead after the opening period and maintained control for much of the first 40 minutes behind a strong performance from Riley Ford, who led the attack with two goals and an assist, while Callum Brennan added a pair of goals of his own. Despite being outshot throughout the game, the NorthStars capitalized on their opportunities and took a 6-4 advantage into the second intermission.

The momentum shifted dramatically in the final frame as Oakville's veteran offense came alive. Jake Darlison sparked the comeback with two goals and three assists in the third period alone, helping the Rock erase multiple deficits. Justin Lee and Nolan Marshall scored key goals to tie the game before Jack MacAlpine completed his hat trick at 10:09, giving Oakville its first lead since the opening period. An empty-net goal from Darlison sealed the victory as the Rock outscored Owen Sound 6-2 in the final 20 minutes.

Photo courtesy of @dillonsphotos705

To The Game:

The NorthStars opened the scoring when Bobby O'Grady jumped across the crease off a Braydon Hickey pass at 1:49, but Jack MacAlpine answered back with a low shot off a Jack Travassos feed at 3:10.

Owen Sound regained the lead while shorthanded when Riley Ford found the five-hole off a Xander Derkatz pass at 7:03, followed by Callum Brennan with an outside blast off a Dylan Watson pass at 17:00.

After one period, Owen Sound 3 Oakville 1.
Shots on goal favored Oakville 19-18.

Second Period:

Oakville opened the second period scoring with Sam LeClair finding the far corner off a Lucas Hucal pass at 3:07, but Riley Ford replied for the NorthStars with a quick stick off a Josh Rosa pass on the power-play at 5:25.

Jack MacAlpine again brought Oakville within one goal with a high to low shot off a Jake Darlison pass at 11:33, but the NorthStars answered on the power-play with Xander Derkatz scoring from the top of the crease off a Josh Rosa pass at 12:59.

The Rock kept it close when Carson Moyer found the corner off a Sam LeClair pass at 17:29, but a NorthStars goal from Callum Brennan with just 16 seconds remaining restored the two goal cushion. 

After two periods, Owen Sound 6 Oakville 4.
Shots on goal favored the Rock 22-21.

Third Period:

Caleb Martin relieved Andrew Kidd in net for Owen Sound. 

Jake Darlison brought the Rock within one once again with an outside howitzer off a Brooks English pass at 3:25, followed by Justin Lee converting a Darlison pass 36 seconds later to tie the game.

Braydon Hickey gave the NorthStars the lead from the top of the crease finishing a Xander Derkatz pass at 4:57, followed by Riley Ford's second goal of the game off a Bobby O'Grady rebound at 6:02.

Justin Lee got the Rock back in the game with a high to high blast off a Jake Darlison pass at 7:10, followed by Nolan Marshall with a high blast to the top corner off a Jake Darlison pass at 8:32 tying the game once again.

Jack MacAlpine's third of the game game Oakville their first lead since the first period off a Sam LeClair pass at 10:09, followed by an empty net marker by Jake Darlison to seal the deal at 19:48.

Final score, Oakville 10 Owen Sound 8.
Shots on goal favored Oakville 24-20, for a game total of 65-59 in favor of the Rock.

The Three Stars: 

1. Jack MacAlpine 
2. Jake Darlison 
3. Callum Brennan 

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