FERGUS — The Fergus Thistles had their backs firmly against the wall Monday night and a hometown crowd to push them on when they dodged the bullet to stay alive in the best of five Jr. C Western Finals against the Six Nations Warriors.
The goals came in bunches all night. The Warriors put the fear of god into the Thistles when they took a 3-0 early game lead without much trouble at all. But then Fergus swept together every ounce of determination they had and began their counter attack, scoring the next eight goals, five in the first and another three early in the second to take an 8-3 lead by the three minute mark of the second period.
The momentum then suddenly shifted in Six Nations favour with a string of Warriors goals scored by Tyler Foxe-MacKenzie, Isiah Mt. Pleasant, Wesley Whitlow, Bradley Hill and Owen Martin, to tie the game at 8-8.
It was Fergus’ turn at the plate and MacKenzie Davies, and Ryan Baumi (with two goals) pulled the momentum back to the Thistles to end the second frame with Fergus leading 11-8.
Baumi’s third straight goal opened the third period making it 12-8 seven seconds in.
Ceaton Smoke and Whitlow wrestled the score to 12-10 but Fergus kept a step ahead of the Warriors the rest f the way to the 14-12 win to fight another day.
That day is set for Wednesday, July 29th, at the ILA at 8 pm when the Warriors could move on to the finals against either the Clarington Shamrocks or Peterborough.
The Jr. C Warriors made a 21-7 mess out of the Fergus Thistles, Saturday night at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena in Game #2 of the best of five Western Finals.
The Warriors and the Thistles battled to a 2-2 first period score with Spencer Martin and Bradly Hill keeping the Warriors even.
But the Warriors, who looked a bit disinterested in the first, unleashed the beast in the second with a 14 goal outburst plus the first goal of the third period as a bonus.
Sitting on a 17-4 lead, the Arrows geared it down and rode the momentum to the 21-7 final.
Providing most of the Warriors punch were Wesley Whitlow (3G,6A), and Chauncey Hill (2G,5A).
Last year in their first season of operation, the Warriors were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. This year they are determined to go all the way.
