Country Night – Warriors Shock T-Birds

Photo Credit Mark Steffens

One might call this a cross Canada rivalry with the Halifax Thunderbirds who currently sit 5th in league standings with a record of nine wins and seven losses while the Warriors currently sit 12th with a record of 6 wins and 9 losses.

Country night was kicked off with Karen-Lee Batten 8-time Female Country Artist of the Year

The T-Birds have managed 201 GF and 175 against while the Warriors have 162 GF and 172 GA on a Western Theme Country night as they welcome the New West Minor Lacrosse to the floor in the pre-game.

In conversation with some prior to the game they mention that the Warriors need to play a full game with Warren Hill between the pipes for Halifax while the Warriors started Oakville’s Aden Walsh.

Early in the game the Warriors found themselves in killing a  couple of minors turning aside shots from various areas of the floor keeping the game scoreless.

Halifax got the early goal in the game at 8:13 on a shot from Benesch in front of the crease forcing the Warriors press from outside only to be turned aside.

The Thunderbirds went up by a pair at 6:06 from the left side with Shanks followed by their third with Pearson giving them a comfortable 3-0 lead.

They went up by four with a desperation dive from behind the net that wasn’t as impressive as one the Warriors got with 0.1 on the clock after a bounce off the back boards on the left side tha went into the stick of Martel which was credited as an unassisted goal.

Shots after the first quarter saw the Thunderbirds narrowly in front by 13-11 with the second starting with Halifax a short 16 seconds in the second quarter on another diving play from behind the net.

The Warrior replied on a delayed minor to be assessed to the Thunderbirds on a spin dive from the left side of the net making it a 5-3 game tying the shots at 14 at 2:20 of the second quarter.

As much as the Warriors pressed, somehow Halifax had some open lanes, having clear shots on net, getting their 6th at 6:03 of the second quarter.

It was clear that there was no jet-lag for the Warriors but it was fair to say that the Warriors never quit getting their third of the game when Kyle Killen pulled them within four followed by their forth at 6:51 with Kevin Crowley getting an unassisted goal.

As if playing catch-up wasn’t enough they were handed a minor for holding giving Halifax the ball setting up a PP goal doubling up 8-4 on the board.

The Warriors replied with Shanks getting his forth of the game only to have Ryan Martell get within three at 5:54 and through two quarters the Warriors managed five minors to two for Halifax as well as outshooting the Warriors by a narrow 28-24.

The third saw the Warriors opened the period at 1:22 in with Keegan Bal starting the period off with their second a short 1:55 in that saw Ball pull the Warriors with one grabbing his second of the game.

Halifax continued to press maintaining their two goal lead with their 9th at 6:06 with Staats feeling confident only to have the Warriors Riley Loewen at 6:36 that saw Halifax get their 10th keeping pace with a two goal separation.

Realistically the game never got rough until Ball got his 4th and their ninth at 4:06 which brought some attention foreign the officials to assess a minor which was washed out by the goal that saw a pair setting up four on four play.

On a set up back to mid floor Halifax were unable to control the ball creating  turnover that allowed  Warriors Charbonneau to pull them even at 10 with Halifax taking a minor giving the Warriors a PP heading into the 4th.

The fourth quarter saw the Warriors take their first lead on a solo effort when Adam Charalambides gave them their go-ahead goal at 1:51 in the home stretch.

After what might be the tying goal there was a questionable goal by the lead official which warrants an automatic review only to confirm a Halifax goal.

Given the play of the Warriors every night should be country night that saw Ball get a pair putting them up 13-11 with under five minutes remaining getting his fifth of the night.

As much as Halifax pressed it seemed like the Warriors could do no wrong that saw their 14th goal hammered home by Martel go to video review having it confirmed to be a good goal maintaining a two goal lead with time going against Halifax who pulled their goal with 35 seconds left giving up a loose ball setting up the Warriors 15th.

The goal to send Halifax back home with a 15-14 loss as they reset the clock to six seconds left in a contest that saw the Warriors battle hard to pull out the win and much deserved.

Country Night was more of a motivation for the Warriors who played in front of a rock-in crowd and as much as I would like to let you know the attendance it’s not listed in the box score sheet and interesting that others were also questioning.

Regardless the Warriors played exceptional and following the game I had a chance to chat with the Halifax Coach to find out what it’s like playing in Halifax.

Smaller size rink but he mentioned that “the fans support the team and welcomed the pro team to the East Coast.

The Warriors play their final home game of the season April 13th at Rogers Arena with the face-off at 7 pm with the Warriors having a record of 7 wins, 9 losses while the Rip Tide are sitting with 7 wins and 8 losses.

Make plans to attend the final game – it’s top dollar entertainment!!!