By Jake Dobson "Voice of the Saints"
The Newmarket Saints played in one of the most exciting games of the season on Tuesday night at the Ray Twinney Complex. Divisional rival Clarington came to town and barley slipped past the Saints earning a well deserved two points. Newmarket’s strong play in their last three contests has gotten the Lacrosse fans in Newmarket all fired up.
The last time these two teams met the Green Gaels relied on transition to provide all of their offense. They continuously beat the Saints off the bench and created many out numbered opportunities with hustle. Things looked to be the same on this night as the Gaels jumped out to a quick two goal lead in the first period on two short handed breakaways on the same kill. The Saints quickly adjusted and were not out hustled again for the rest of the first period. After a third goal for the Gaels the captain Patty Lee stepped up and fired a laser past the Gaels keeper to get his team back in the game with a score of 3 - 1 after the first period.
The second period was one of the most exciting periods of the season as both teams were running down the floor with tremendous speed. Newmarket won the period 3 - 2 on the back of Jordan Rothery, Jacob Donato, AJ Masson and Patty Lee. Jordan Rothery made several outstanding saves when it looked like he was down and out, the Gaels were clearly getting frustrated trying to beat the Saints keeper who had a lot to prove. Rothery was pulled from the net the last time these two teams met. Jake Donato and Patty Lee provided all of the offense coming up with loose balls and working through serious traffic in the offensive zone. AJ Masson must be one of the best penalty killers in the entire league as every time he gets the ball nobody can get it back from him. He very nearly tied the game at the end of the frame.
The third period picked up right where the second left off with both teams playing extremely exciting Lacrosse. The Saints were the better team in the first half of the period and took their first lead of the game at 8 - 7 on a goal by "Primetime" Patty Lee. Lee finished the game with four goals and three assists. The Gaels wasted no time responding less than 15 seconds later to tie the game and then scored twice in the final three minutes to pull away for good taking the win 10 - 8. The Gaels have a lot of experience winning big games and it really showed tonight.
In the end it was the first five minutes of the game and the last five minutes of the game that really cost the Saints. An early failure to recognize the fast break offense and then a lack of desire at the end of the game really cost the Saints. This loss means that the Saints can not finish in first place in the Mid East division at the end of the regular season, but it does send a very strong message across the league. The Saints are a very difficult team to beat and with their toughness they will have a chance to beat any team in the OLA including the Green Gaels in the playoffs. The Saints will have one more chance at redemption in Clarington when the face the Gaels for the third and final time of the regular season on June 19.
Newmarket’s next game is on Friday June 13 in Mississauga at 8:00pm and their next home game is against Markham on Tuesday June 17 against Markham. Newmarket has not played Mississauga yet this season and has defeated Markham on two separate occasions.
A tough loss for the Saints tonight, but they are playing outstanding Lacrosse as the regular season winds down.
GO SAINTS GO
