Athletics outlast Lakers in overtime
St. Catharines makes trade before junior A lacrosse game
For the third time in their past seven games the St. Catharines Athletics went to overtime, and for the second time they won.
The A’s outlasted the Peterborough Lakers 10-8 on the road Friday night in junior A lacrosse action.
Carter Zavitz forced overtime at the 18:28 mark of the third period, then completed a hat trick for what turned out to the game-winner 1:29 into in the extra period.
Zavitz finished with three goals, and three assists, while Alex Simmons had his second straight eight-point game with four goals and four helpers.
Brett Erskine, who returned from a two-game absence with an ankle injury, added a goal and three assists.
“We never quit and kept with the plan, and the boys played really well,” said Athletics head coach Steve Toll. “It showed at the end that hard work pays off, and they got rewarded for working hard.
“It was a big win.”
St. Catharines outshot Peterborough 68-51.
“We had tons of great scoring chances — and I mean tons — but their goalie played great,” Toll said.
Teddy Leggett, acquired earlier in the day from the Six Nations Arrows, made his debut in the victory as the A’s improved to 10-5 on the season. The Lakers fell to 2-12.
“Teddy looked really good, and had a lot of transition,” said Toll. “He played really well.
“The dedication for him just getting to the game, finding out he was traded, and then getting to the game was just huge. He
played awesome.”
Leggett, known for his speed and transition game, had one goal and one assist in 13 games with the Arrows this season.
The Vaughan native was acquired along with Trevor Stacey from Six Nations for two firstround and a second-round pick.
“We were looking to add a little depth to our roster at the (trade) deadline with Latrell (Harris) making Team Canada and being away for a couple of weeks,” Athletics general manager Jeff Chcoski said. “We thought it was necessary.
“We got two character kids that will add a lot to our room and
bring skill and toughness to the floor.”
The Athletics were back on the floor Sunday for an afternoon game on the road versus the 7-9 Toronto Beaches.
A’s Acorns: Jake McNabb (shoulder) Jacob Johnson (shoulder) and Brad Fannell (healthy) were the regular Athletics scratches for the game, as Gavin McGregor and Peter Hrynuik (Welland Generals) were called up. It was Hrynuik’s first junior A game … Stacey did not play Friday night … The A’s will also be using Pelham native, and Niagara Thunderhawk, Patrick McCabe down the stretch.