Third-Period Surge Lifts Rock Over Excelsiors

By Gary Groob 

The Brampton Excelsiors (1-7) traveled to face the Oakville Rock (5-2) in Major Series Lacrosse action Monday night at the Toronto Rock Athletic Centre in Oakville, Ontario. 

The goaltending match-up had Connor O'Toole in net for the Excelsiors facing Landon Kells in net for the Rock. 

The Brampton Excelsiors gave the Oakville Rock everything they could handle for two periods Monday night, but a dominant third period propelled Oakville to a 9-5 victory at the Toronto Rock Athletic Centre. The game featured six ties or lead changes through the opening 40 minutes, with Brampton answering nearly every Oakville push. Erich Acton led the Excelsiors early with a pair of first-period goals, while Coltrane Tyson and Mike Triolo added second-period markers to keep Brampton within striking distance. Oakville's offense was paced by Alex Simmons, who recorded a hat trick and was a constant threat throughout the contest, while Josh Dawick contributed three points and Luke Dawick added multiple assists.

After entering the third period holding a slim 6-5 advantage, the Rock tightened up defensively and took control of the game. Mitchell Armstrong sparked the decisive frame with a highlight-reel coast-to-coast transition goal before Simmons completed his hat trick and Carson Moyer added his second of the night to put the game away. Landon Kells and the Oakville defense limited Brampton's opportunities in the final period, allowing the Rock to pull away for their fifth win of the season. 

To The Game:

Oakville got on the board with Josh Dawick scoring from the side of the net off an Alex Simmons pass at 3:04, but Erich Acton answered back on a delayed penalty with a bounced shot from Seth Van Schepen at 4:38.

The Rock grabbed the lead once more when Alex Simmons fired an outside laser off a Luke Dawick pass at 9:38, but a late goal from Cody Innes tied the game off a Caleb Creasor pass at 18:12.

The Excelsiors continued to battle with Erich Acton scoring his second of the game off a Mike Triolo pass 35 seconds later, but Mike McCannell would even it up in transition off a long lead pass from Landon Kells at 19:26. 

After one period, Brampton 3 Oakville 3.
Shots on goal favored Brampton 19-15.

Second Period:

The Rock opened the scoring in the second period with Isiah Moran-Weekes capitalizing on a broken play finishing a Luke Dawick shot at 1:23, but a shorthanded marker from Coltrane Tyson coming off the bench in transition tied the game at 6:40.

The Excelsiors took the lead with Mike Triolo scoring from in close off a Nate Ruff pass at 11:40, but Carson Moyer answered diving across the crease off an Alex Simmons pass at 12:13.

Oakville again regained the lead in this see-saw battle on the power-play when Alex Simmons deflected a shot off Connor O'Toole's arm at 14:22.

After two periods, Oakville 6 Brampton 5.
Shots on goal favored the Rock 24-12.

Third Period:

The Rock's Mitchell Armstrong opened the third period scoring in transition, first with a strip, then going coast to coast for the unassisted marker at 7:30.  Alex Simmons got his third of the game from the top of the crease off a Josh Dawick pass at 12:23, followed by Carson Moyer with a quick stick off a Josh Dawick pass from the side of the net at 17:19.

Final score, Oakville 9 Brampton 5.
Shots on goal favored the Rock 14-12, for a game total of 53-43 in favor of Oakville. 

The Three Stars:

1. Alex Simmons 
2. Carson Moyer 
3. Luke Dawick 

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