Rock Drop 9-7 Decision To Chiefs
Chris Cloutier's Hat Trick Pushes Rock To The Brink
Oakville, ON – On Sunday night at the TRAC, the Rock were looking to even the series at 2-2, after defeating Six Nations 7-6 in game three last week. Once again, these two bitter rivals went down right to the wire with the Chiefs coming away with a 9-7 victory taking a 3-1 series lead.
It didn’t take long for the home side to get going, just 2:35 into the game, Challen Rogers was on the move in transition and blew one by Dillion Ward giving the Rock an early 1-0 advantage. The Chiefs responded with a three-goal run spanning over 3:15 to take a 3-1 lead. The bounced back with Dan Lintner and Rob Hellyer closing out the first period with back-to-back markers to tie the game at 3-3.
The second period saw the Rock outshoot the Chiefs 28-13, however each side only managed two goals apiece. For the Rock, Hellyer added his second goal of the night and Dan Craig spun out to the front of the net firing a highlight reel worthy tally past Ward. Dhane Smith and Chris Cloutier answered for the Chiefs and after 40 minutes we were once again all even at 5-5.
Josh Jubenville gave the Rock a 6-5 lead, 4:49 into the final frame. Six Nations recorded four-straight goals to take a 9-6 lead that included an empty net goal with 1:36 to play in the third period. Hellyer finished off his hat-trick, pulling the Rock to within 9-7, with only 10 seconds left to play. The Rock offence fired 59 shots towards the Chiefs goal, but it just wasn’t enough on this night.
It’s now do or die time for the Rock on Monday night at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena in Six Nations, with the Chiefs having the first chance to close out the series. Game six, if necessary, will be back in Oakville at the TRAC on Wednesday night at 8pm. Fans can watch every game this season live on lacrosse-tv.com.