Coquitlam, BC – The Onondaga Redhwks punched their ticket to the 2014 Can-Am Finals with a win over the St. Albert Miners 10-8.
The semi-final began just like their previous meeting a few nights ago. The Miners deliberate offense and physical defense matched up against the Onondaga’s solid goal keeping, help defense, and creative sticks creating a low scoring affair. Both keepers were up to the task for over the first 5 minutes of play keeping the score at zero apiece.
The Lyle Thompson scored his first of 7 goals of the night to give the Redhawks a 1-0 lead. The Miners answered with a power play goal of their own before Pete benedict found the back of the net with a blast from the outside to give the Redhawks a 2-1 lead at the end of the first period.
The second period saw Lyle Thompson come out on fire. Lyle first on a power play blast to make it 3-1; then another blast from just inside the arc to make it 4-1; and he finished of the 3 minute span with an acrobatic diving goal to make it 5-1. The Miners responded with a goal of their own only to see Lyle beat three defenders to score a shorthanded goal for the Redhawks. Wade Bucktooth added a beautiful goal on the crease before the Miners scored 2 of their own to bring the second period to a close with a 7-4 Onondaga lead.
The Miners proved that they were indeed a top team in this tournament. After 8 minutes of scores lacrosse the Miners scored 2 of their own. Both of second chance loose balls which goal keeper Edmund Cathers made the initial save. With the score sitting at 7-6 and the vocal Miner crowd sensing a comeback, Lyle scored on another outside blast. After a Miner fast break goal, Coach Ed Shenandoah asked for an equipment check on a St. Albert defender. The defender was ruled to have illegal equipment and was ejected from the game and the team assessed a 2 minute penalty. The Miners then bucked down and scored on the Redhawks shorthanded to tie the game at 8. With the game winding down under 90 seconds, the Redhawks look for Lyle Thompson again. And Lyle delivered again scoring his seventh goal of the evening and a 9-8. As the seconds ran down, the Miners pulled their goalie for a man advantage on offense. Edmund Cathers was up to the challenge. Not only stopping the Miner attacker but scooping up the loose ball and scoring the final tally, 10-8.
Up Next for the Redhawks is Six Nations Rivermen in the gold medal game.
Click to view Highlights of tonight’s win.
Click to wiew interviews of Lyle and Ed Shenadoah