Game 1: 13-8
Game 2: 9-8
A hot and sticky day was the fuel for some torrential storms that crossed the Onondaga Nation just an hour before game time. The storm left many homes on the Nation without power so it seems as though everybody then went to Tsha Honnonyendakwha’ to witness game 1 of the best of seven series with the Six Nations Sting.
The Redhawks ready to establish home floor quickly jumped out front of the visiting Sting tallying the first goal. Like the rain that preceded the game Redhawks poured it on as they built a 6-2 first period lead.
The Sting, who defeated Newtown the longtime Can-Am finals participant in the semis, was not going to go away. They then used quick ball movement to find the open lanes and shooters as the Six Nations Sting won the second period by scoring 5 goals and the Onondaga forwards finding the back of the net only once.
Going into the third and final period tied at 7, it was anyone’s ball game. If the Sting had momentum going into the third period, it was soon lost due to the penalties. The Sting soon found themselves in too many man down situations and outside sharp shooter AJ Bucktooth took advantage running the Onondaga power play. On the defensive side of the ball, Jeff Powless and his defense was shutting down the Sting forwards (only allowing a single goal) while the crowd and the team regained the momentum adding 6 goals to bring the final score to 13 to 8.
Game 2
Sunday’s afternoon action resumed the close action the fans were treated to the night before. Ed Shenandoah started the action only to find the Sting quickly tie the game at 1. But the first period belonged to Ed as he added 3 more tallies in the first period finding the open spaces inside beating the Sting goalie low (twice) and firing and outside blast to ensure the Redhawks would have a 4-3 first period lead.
Seconds after the opening face off, Dustin Hill took his man across the middle and beat the goaltender with a beautiful bounce shot to increase the lead to 5-3. Soon goals by Ron Cogan and Murray Stout made the score 7-3 and prompted a Sting goalie change.
The two teams traded goals and it looked as though the Redhawks were going into the third period with a three goal cushion. But that was erased but two hustling plays by the Sting in the closing minutes of the period. The visiting squad from Six Nations scored 2 goals to make the score 6-8 and set up another exciting third period.
The third period saw the Redhawk offense and defense loose players due to injuries. Sensing their chance to tie the series, the Sting picked up their offence into high gear. They were able to find themselves on the door step with our Redhawk goaltender Jeff Powless many times only to be turned away. The Sting then added a power play goal of their own to cut the Onondaga lead to 7-8.
The Sting was eager to tie the game. They had numerous fast breaks and one on one chances but Jeff was there to make position saves, sliding saves, and “I can’t believe he did that!” saves.
The Sting then got another power play opportunity. This time, Jeff made the save and outlet the ball to Ed Shenandoah. Ed sensing a need for a goal provided as he beat his man to the cage slipping a bounce shot past he Sting goalie for the man-down-game winner with 4 minutes to play as the arena exploded with cheers!
The closing minutes saw the Sting add another tally to bring the score to 8-9. The one goal lead was all Jeff Powless needed to secure the win and a 2-0 series lead over the Sting.
The best of seven series now moves out to Six Nations for a Friday night game (9pm start) and a Saturday night game (7pm start) and game 5 on Sunday at Tsha’Honnonyendakwha at 3pm if necessary.