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WEEK TWO SUMMARY

2015-05-19


The Mi'kmaq Warriors home opener highlights a busy week in the ECJLL. READ MORE for an in-depth recap of all games taking place last week in the East Coast Junior Lacrosse League.

Week Two Summary
East Coast Junior Lacrosse League
 
 
May 19, 2015
Colin Beiswanger
 
 
May 10, 2015 – Mi’kmaq Warriors 2 vs Halifax Southwest Hurricanes 16
 
The Warriors made their first trip up to Halifax, and received a proper hello from the Halifax Southwest Hurricanes. The warm and fuzzy feeling lingering from Saturday’s win didn’t last long into Monday night as the Canes pelted Warriors net-minder Bruce Ingraham with three goals in the first three minutes of the game, and chasing him out of net in the second period.
 
Little was made of the return of Brian Huyghue, but he provided scoring for the Hurricanes with 5 points (3 G 2 A) and pushed the pace of play all night. Nate Allen (5 G 2 A) and Maxwell Mcbride (2 G 4 A) added scoring along with Reilly Letterick and Sam Martin.
 
Although the score suggests a blowout the Warriors showed grit, not letting the pace of play get in the way of their game plan. This team will have its ups and downs in year one, surely, and responding to this will be a testament to the character of the team and the steadiness of the coaching staff.
 
For the Warriors, Bryson Knockwood scored and Billie Julian continued his hot start with two points. Time Lamont saw his first ECJLL action, and saw just how cruel a team slinging on offence can be allowing 8 goals.
 
Players to watch:
 
It will be interesting to see how Warriors goaltender Bruce Ingraham responds to being pulled on Monday. The Warriors have a huge matchup this Thursday against the Sackville Wolves. There will no doubt be pressure in front of the home-town crowd for the first time, not to mention the game will be aired on Eastlink.
 
Following up from last week’s summary, Alex Pace continues to pad the assist column. He also notched his first goal of the young season. With the return of right-handed shot Huyghue expect Pace to get more and more open looks.
 
 
Box Score
 
 
Warriors Week 3 at a glance: vs Mavericks 5/21
Hurricanes Week 3 at a glance: @ Bandits 5/22, @ Mavericks 5/24
 
 
May 13, 2015 – Dartmouth Bandits 12 vs Halifax Northwest Marley Lions 9
 
 
In the first of a home-and-home between the Bandits and Lions, the Bandits were simply too much. Unfortunate turns at the beginning and end of the second period spelled disaster for the Lions, as they allowed two goals to start and end the frame.
 
After a goalie change brought new life to the group in that same period, the Bandits overpowered the Lions in the third. Outside shots haunted the Lions, and the Bandits were happy enough scoring from well outside the 25-foot marker.
 
Justin Graham led the Bandits offensively, potting 6 points (2 G 4 A). More impressive was his work in the faceoff circle; winning seemingly every draw he took. Bobby Green’s shot from outside proved to be too much as he netted a hat trick on the left side.
 
John MacDonald led the Lions with 1 G 2 A in the contest, and now has 12 points in three games played so far this year. Paddy Quinn also finished with a trio of goals. Thomas Sangster, Clark Hannam, and Justin Misener were the other scorers for the Lions.
 
Both teams seemed content trading goals in the first period, but the momentum shifting goals by the Bandits in the second period proved costly for the Lions as those swings sandwiched and contained four straight goals by the Lions in a 7:36 minute stretch in the second period.
 
At the end of the day the Bandits defence was simply too much for the Lions in this one. The Bandits defence contained the high-powered Lions attack by bullying them outside the 25-foot marker and rarely letting a man free. Goaltender Jonathan Boutin was fantastic in this game. With this win the Bandits are letting it be known that they are looking to improve on a third place finish from last year.
 
Players to watch:
 
Justin Graham led the Bandits in this one. He was everywhere on the floor and his work in the faceoff circle was critical in victory for the Bandits. As the top-man on Dartmouth’s powerplay, it is evident that Graham’s role as a leader on this team is one worth monitoring over the course of the season.
 
For the Lions, Thomas Sangster was one of the few players able to penetrate the middle of the Bandits defensive unit, benefitting from crafty passing from Paddy Quinn and Gavin Quigley. Look for Sangster to get his looks throughout the season along the crease.
 
Box Score
Game Highlights
 
 
Bandits Week 3 at a glance: vs Hurricanes 5/22
Lions Week 3 at a glance: vs Sackville 5/20, @ Mavericks 5/23
 
 
May 14, 2015 – Sackville Sportwheels Wolves 11 vs Mi’kmaq Warriors 10
 
 
It was a historic night at Colchester Arena in Truro as the Mi’kmaq Warriors welcomed the first ever Junior lacrosse action to Truro and the Great Colchester County area for the first time. What better way to start than by playing the Sackville Wolves, with the Wolves bringing many Truro area players through their system and former Wolves players moving over to play for their hometown squad in Truro. The Warriors welcomed the Wolves with a traditional presentation prior to the game showcasing the Mi’kmaq culture. However, once the game started the niceties ended quickly. The game had flurries of fights, tough checks, and dirty play. It was clear the Wolves had prepared for this, as they were able to stay out of the penalty box and were only issued 38 minutes in penalties as opposed to the Warriors who took 80 minutes in penalties.
 
The usual scorers were at the top of the box score once again for the Warriors as Billie Julian netted 6 goals and rookie Bryson Knockwood added 3 goals and 2 assists. Julian now has a commanding lead in the points race with 15 points in three games.
 
Connor Aquanno and Ryan Arsenault lead the charge in victory for the Wolves, with 6 points and 4 points respectively. In a matchup between two of the top rookies entering 2015, Aquanno may have lost the points race but his team ended up in the win column for the first time in 2015.
 
This matchup will be the one to watch over the course of this season as there will be no shortage of love lost in their next match on June 2nd in Sackville.
 
Players to watch:
 
Billie Julian has made his presence felt early in this 2015 season. After not playing much in 2014 he seems to be on a mission, netting big points in big games for the Warriors.
 
Connor Aquanno seems to be adapting well to the physical side of the game and getting plenty of opportunity on this young Wolves team. His progression will be watched by Coach Titchmarsh throughout the season and will be a good story-line down the stretch as the Wolves will be fighting for the final playoff spot with the Mavericks and Warriors.
 
 
Box Score
 
 
Wolves Week 3 at a glance: @ Lions 5/20
Warriors Week 3 at a glance: vs Mavericks 5/21
 
 
May 15, 2015 – Halifax Northwest Marley Lions 5 vs Dartmouth Bandits 8
 
 
The second game of a home-and-home between these two left the Lions with no answers to Jonathan Boutin’s remarkable performance in net on this Friday night.
 
Once again, the Bandits defence pushed the Lions out of the middle of the floor, making it difficult to get any chances on their red-hot goaltender. Matching their previous meeting, the Bandits outside shots proved to be too much to handle for the Lions defence and netminder Brandon Deveau.
 
In a game almost mirroring their previous meeting, Justin Graham led the team with 3 points (1 G 2 A) and Bobby Green also netted a pair of goals. Though the Lions were able to keep the Bandits well outside the 25 foot marker the Bandits persistency seemed to pay off.
 
Jonathan Boutin was outstanding in this contest and has put the team on his back, leading the Bandits to a 3-0 start. Their matchup this week against the Southwest Hurricanes will be the one to watch.
 
For the Lions, five different goal scorers netted their five markers. John MacDonald led the way with 3 points (1 G 2 A). Look for better offensive production from the group coming into a week where they play the Sackville Wolves and Moncton Mavericks.
 
Players to watch:
 
At this point in the season goaltending has been the real strength of the Dartmouth Bandits, and Jonathan Boutin has everything to do with this. The Bandits have only allowed 19 goals in three games so far this season, and will undoubtedly rely heavily on Boutin’s services in coming games.
 
Gee Clarke potted his first goal of the season and has been seeing his role increase every game in this young 2015 season. His play was relied upon greatly in 2014 and you can bet the Lions will look to him more as the season progresses.
 
 
Box Score
Game Highlights
 
 
Lions Week 3 at a glance: vs Wolves 5/21, @ Mavericks 5/23
Bandits Week 3 at a glance: vs Dartmouth 5/22

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