Thunderhawks clinch playoff spot with win streak
Junior B lacrosse roundup
With two games left in their regular season the Niagara Thunderhawks officially clinched a Ontario Junior B Lacrosse playoff berth with a 19-4 lambasting of the London Blue Devils Monday night in Virgil.
The win moved the Thunderhawks back to the .500 mark at 9-9 as Kent Baker-Printup scored a hat-trick and added four assists.
Nathan Maloney also notched the hat-trick and added three helpers, while Saul Vanderzalm and Reid Lowe each scored twice to go along with four assists.
Zach Luis and David Moyett both recorded five point games with two goals and three helpers. Trent Hunter, Connor Watson, Evan Miller, Brett Beetow and Nolan Fehr added singles for the THawks who outshot London 54-17 overall.
Niagara also soared over the Orangeville Northmen, 8-5, and doubled up on the Guelph Regals, 8-4.
Saul Vanderzalm led the way against Orangeville with two goals and two assists, while Moyett also scored twice for the Thunderhawks.
Baker-Printup, Luis, Miller and Malcolm Vanderzalm also found the back of the net in the victory over Orangeville.
In Guelph a night later, BakerPrintup and Moyett both had three point games. Baker-Printup scored twice and added a helper. Moyett had one goal and two assists.
Saul Vanderzalm, Watson, Miller, Chris Weier and Maloney also bulged the twine for the THawks.
Spartans in battle for eighth and final playoff spot
The St. Catharines Spartans’ (5-11-1) playoff hopes will come down to the final week of the regular season, and three straight road games.
The Spartans visit Orangeville, London and Welland to conclude their 20game regular season schedule after dropping an 8-7 decision to Hamilton, and a 12-5 defeat at the hands of Wallaceburg.
Connor Aquanno had a one goal and three helpers in the loss to Hamilton. Tyler Kolodka added a goal and two assists, while Jacob McMillan scored twice.
Adam Kirchmayer, John Kit and Sam LeClair had the other goals for St. Catharines.
Mario Caito led the Spartans in their loss against Wallaceburg with two goals. LeClair, Blake Halladay and Alex Gaston also found mesh.
Welland still looking for its second win of the season
It was another tough week for the Welland Generals (1-16).
The Generals were outshot 135-70 and outscored 34-8 in two losses during Week 8 action.
Merritton native Justin Rombough made 56 stops, while Talon Badawey had two goals and one assist in a 14-5 loss to the Windsor Clippers.
Justin Porga, Zach Otto and Kage Janes also bulged the twine for Welland.
A night later, Mitchell
Geoffroy scored twice and added a helper in a 20-3 loss to Six Nations.
Badawey had the other goal for the Generals.
The following is this week’s home schedule for the three local Junior B lacrosse teams:
Wednesday, June 13: Niagara at Welland, 7:30 p.m., Welland Arena
Sunday June 17: Hamilton at Niagara, 4 p.m., Meridian Credit Union
Sunday June 17: St. Catharines at Welland, 7 p.m. Welland Arena