Athletics back in series after home win over Orangeville
St. Catharines captain Latrell Harris saluted as star of game in much-needed victory
There isn’t such a statistic in sports, but I’m sure percentages would tell you that if you score on your first shot of the game it’s a good omen.
And that’s exactly what the St. Catharines Jr. A Athletics did Wednesday night at Jack Gatecliff Arena, in a much-needed 6-4 win over the visiting Orangeville Northmen.
Orangeville still leads the bestof-seven semifinal series two games to one, but it proved to the Athletics they can beat Northmen goaltender, and Ontario Junior A Lacrosse League most valuable player, Rylan Hartley.
A’s captain Latrell Harris was arguably the best player on the floor in Game 3, logging a ton of playing time, throwing numerous body checks and adding two assists, including a beauty off transition with 20 seconds left in the game that set up Carter Zavitz’s second goal of the game and sealed the Athletics victory.
“This was big,” said Harris, who missed the Athletics first round playoff sweep over Six Nations while playing for Team Canada’s field lacrosse team in Israel.
“Going 0-3 would have been hard, but now (down) 2-1 hopefully we can continue to roll.”
Harris seemed extra-motivated as the game went on helped in part by the Northmen, and in particular forward Dylan Watson, who were trying to get under his skin.
“It motivated me in the third period,” Harris said. “In the first and second (period) it was starting to get away from me.
“It’s important to stay 50-50, even keel.”
St. Catharines head coach Steve Toll continues to sing the praises of Harris.
“I don’t care if he goes to check a guy anywhere, I’m confident he’s going to come out on top or win the race for the loose ball,” Toll said. “I thought he played a
fabulous game.”
The game was tied 2-2 after one period of play before the A’s would score twice in the middle stanza to take a 4-2 lead into the third period.
But the home side would sit back allowing Orangeville to control the game and tie things at four 6:27 into the third period.
Jake McNabb’s first goal of the playoffs, at the 14:27 mark, turned out to be the game-winner.
Nick Damude turned aside 37 Northmen shots for the win between the pipes as Orangeville enjoyed a very slight shot advantage at 41-40.
Game 4 in the series goes Friday night in Orangeville, with the fifth game back at Jack Gatecliff Arena Saturday at 7 p.m.
“Tonight we played about 53 solid minutes of lacrosse, there was maybe seven that I didn’t like.” Toll said.
“Friday night we’ve got to tie the series up, and bring it back to The Jack, Saturday, tied 2-2.”
A’s Acorns: Liam Ham, Tanner Vail , Kyler Kilgour and Jacob Johnson did not dress for the Athletics … Trevor Stacey made his home debut for the A’s … Harris (first team all-star) and Damude (second team all-star) were honoured by the league and junior A commissioner Dean Macleod before the game … Troy Holowchuk replaced Damude for about 20 seconds after the Northmen took a 2-1 first period lead … It was the Athletics’ first secondround playoff victory since July 27, 2008.