Oakville Rallies, Kells Stands Tall in Victory Over Kodiaks

By Gary Groob 

The Oakville Rock (11-4) traveled east to face the Cobourg Kodiaks (9-6) in Major Series Lacrosse action Sunday evening at the Jack Burger Arena in Port Hope, Ontario. 

The goaltending match-up had Landon Kells in net for the Rock facing Laine Hruska in net for the Kodiaks. 

Oakville erased an early deficit with a dominant middle frame, then held off every Cobourg push to earn a hard-fought 9-7 victory Sunday night at Jack Burger Arena. After trailing 3-1 early in the second period, the Rock responded with three straight goals to seize control before trading punches with the Kodiaks the rest of the way. Isiah Moran-Weekes powered the offense with a hat trick, while Alex Simmons, Jack MacAlpine, Sam LeClair, Justin Lee, Carson Moyer and Jake Darlison all contributed to a balanced attack that improved Oakville to 11-4 on the season.

Cobourg refused to go away, with Alex Marinier scoring three times and Zach Thompson adding a pair of goals to keep the home side within striking distance. The Kodiaks outshot Oakville 55-42, but Landon Kells turned aside 48 shots and came up with several key saves during a pressure-filled third period to preserve the lead. Darlison's coast-to-coast empty-net goal in the final minute put the finishing touches on the Rock's impressive road victory as Oakville continued to strengthen its position near the top of the Major Series Lacrosse standings.

To The Game:

After an exciting first half of the period which yielded no goals, the Kodiaks finally solved Landon Kells when Ethen Fines converted a Taylor Dooley pass at 10:30. 

Carson Moyer tied the game with a blast from the side of the net off a Nolan Marshall pass in transition at 15:20, but Cobourg regained the lead with a sidearm laser from Alex Marinier off a Brock Haley set-up at 16:36.

After one period, Cobourg 2 Oakville 1.
Shots on goal favored the Kodiaks 18-8.

Second Period:

Zach Thompson increased the Kodiaks lead early in the frame converting a Brock Haley pass at 1:10, but Oakville would get rolling with the next three goals. 

Alex Simmons brought the Rock within one with a great move from the top of the crease off a Sam LeClair pass at 3:16, followed by Isiah Moran-Weekes also scoring from in close off a Carson Moyer feed at 4:21.  Jack MacAlpine then blasted a crisp pass from Justin Lee 26 seconds later to take the lead.

Zach Thompson's second of the game on the power-play tied the game for Cobourg at 10:20, followed by Kieran McKay with a low shot that found the corner off a Nathan Pouliot pass at 11:52.

The Rock fought back again with Sam LeClair scoring off a turnover unassisted at 16:31, followed by Isiah Moran-Weekes with his second of the game on the power-play converting a Carson Moyer feed at 17:17.

After two periods, Oakville 6 Cobourg 5.
Shots on goal favored the Rock 21-16.

Third Period:

Alex Marinier opened the third period scoring for Cobourg with an absolute howitzer off a Shane Halliwell pass at 1:10, but an unassisted tally from Justin Lee kept the Rock in control at 7:57.

Isiah Moran-Weekes' third of the game gave Oakville some breathing room from the top of the crease off a Sam LeClair pass at 9:57, but another booming shot from Marinier at 15:10 kept the Kodiaks close.

Jake Darlison sealed the deal going coast to coast for the unassisted empty net tally at 19:15.

Final score, Oakville 9 Cobourg 7.
Shots on goal favored the Kodiaks 21-25, for a game total of 55-42 in favor of Cobourg. 

The Three Stars:

1. Isiah Moran-Weekes 
2. Zach Thompson 
3. Alex Simmons 

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