Justin Ivey, Co-Editor
Lacrosse is Awesome©
The Ottawa Black Bears (1-1) picked up their first win of the season last night at home against the visiting Saskatchewan Rush (1-1), but it was not an easy battle for Jeff Teat (4G, 5A) and company. Both teams’ backup goaltenders saw time in net, albeit less than 30 seconds each, and scoring came in ebbs and flows. Led by Zach Manns (3G, 1A), Saskatchewan willed themselves to a four-goal lead in the third quarter after being held off the scoreboard until 10:45 remained in the first half. After squandering the early lead, Teat scored all four of his goals in the fourth quarter, leading to a furious comeback for the Black Bears. On a weekend that will see all 14 NLL teams in action, Friday night’s opener set the stage for an epic weekend. Final Score: Saskatchewan Rush – 8, Ottawa Black Bears – 11.
The first quarter of the evening was full of defense. Both teams held strong around the net and both goaltenders turned away shots from near and far. Ottawa newcomer Sam Firth (1G, 1A) found himself the only goal of the opening frame 5:32 into play. After a pick and roll with Teat, Firth cut to the net and found himself wide open for the behind-the-back assist. A few opportunities looked close for both teams after, but no one else would break through. At the end of the first quarter, Ottawa led Saskatchewan 1-0.
It was Teddy Bear Toss Night, in support of the Salvation Army’s Toy Mountain, at Canadian Tire Centre and the fans did not have to wait long for the first goal of the second quarter. Connor Kearnan (1G) doubled the home lead 50 seconds into the quarter and Teddy Bears flew from all over the arena onto the turf. After the cleanup, and a couple more minutes of play, Rob Hellyer (3G, 5A) made it three in a row for the home fans, finding the net with 11:57 on the clock. The Rush finally found a spark to close out the half, coming back to tie the game before the horn. Two goals from Manns sandwiched a power play strike from Robert Church (2G, 1A) and the Rush stood tall on defense to scrap back into the game. At halftime, Saskatchewan and Ottawa were tied 3-3.
After six goals in the first half, Ottawa and Saskatchewan scored seven combined goals in the third alone, and unfortunately for the home team, the Black Bears were outscored 5-2. Four of those Rush goals came in the first five minutes. Ryan Keenan (1G, 2A) scored just 27 seconds in while the Rush were man-up, and Church scored his second of the night just 27 seconds later. Mike Messenger (1G) directed traffic in transition before firing in a goal 37 seconds after that, and with 10:39 left in the third, Levi Anderson (1G) scored. The Rush found themselves leading 7-3 after scoring seven unanswered, going back to the second quarter. Facing their largest deficit of the game, Ottawa dug deep. Hellyer scored his second with 8:01 left in the third and Larson Sundown (2G) entered the scoring party with 5:22 remaining. Manns completed his hat trick with 2:45 on the clock to quickly put a stop to the Ottawa momentum. At the end of the third quarter, Saskatchewan led Ottawa 8-5.
Facing a three-goal deficit with 15 minutes left to play, Ottawa turned to its young superstar and Teat showed why he is one of the best in the game. With the offense supporting him with screens and crisp passes, Teat rattled off three goals in a row to start the final quarter. The third, tying the game 8-8 with 9:59 left, gave him his eighth point of the game. Saskatchewan could not find a way through the defense supported by the suddenly loud crowd and Ottawa would finish the game scoring three more goals. Sundown gave the lead back to Ottawa with 7:53 left, and in the final two minutes Teat and Hellyer both tallied one more. Final Score: Saskatchewan Rush – 8, Ottawa Black Bears – 11.
Up Next:
The Saskatchewan Rush (1-1) host the Georgia Swarm on Saturday, December 20 at 8:00 PM EST.
The Ottawa Black Bears (1-1) visit the Las Vegas Desert Dogs on Saturday, December 20 at 10:00 PM EST.