Saints Slow Start Sinks Them Against Akwesasne

June 4 – The Saints loaded up the bus and hit the road for a weekend set out east. First up, the Akwesasne Indians. It was the first visit to one of the toughest buildings to play in for many of the Saints, only made tougher given the season the home side is having, sitting atop the Far East division. Cory Campbell got the call in goal for the Newmarket, while Akwesasne countered with Gage King.

From the opening face-off, Akwesasne dictated the pace. Russ Oakes kicked off the scoring, finding the back of the net just under two minutes in. The goal ignited the home side and set them on a seven-goal run. The period ended with the home side leading 7-0.

The second started the same way. Akwesasne padded its lead to 10-0 just over five minutes in, but then the Saints started to settle in. Dante Romano got them on the board on a fast-break rush. Akwesasne responded, but then Nolan Rutty picked off a pass in his own zone and ran the floor, scoring on a 12-foot shot. The period closed at 11-2, but it was a much tighter frame.

In the third, the teams traded chances and goals. Dante Romano buried his second of the game early on, followed by a tally from Josh Connors and then Luca Romano with under four minutes to go. Akwesasne didn’t back down and added six goals in the period.

“Learning experience for a young group,” said Saints Head Coach, Dan Ransom Sr. "They're a team that plays extremely well in their barn, don't think they’ve lost a game at home yet. We need to find a way to control the pace better early on in games."

Final Score: Indians 17 - Saints 5.

Up next – the boys have a quick turnaround, heading to play Kahnawake to play the Hunters at 2PM on Sunday.

Saints’ Late Rally Falls Short As Tomahawks Hold On for Win

June 1st – Another hot night and another big game for the Saints as they make a push for a playoff spot. The Mississauga Tomahawks rolled into town with a four-point lead over Newmarket. Dylan Munro took the cage for the Saints, while Adam Brennan started for the visitors.

Despite the late arrival for several of the Tomahawks players, it was them who got the jump on the Saints, scoring twice in the first minute of action. The home side regrouped and settled in, trading chances until Brandon Tanacs fired an outside shot past the keeper to make it 2-1. Any momentum from the goal was short lived though as the Tomahawks went on another run, scoring four times in four minutes to push their lead to 6-1. Mack Nevin got one back for the Saints, burying on the power play, to send the two sides into the break at 6-2.

The second period was a much closer battle. Nevin found twine again six minutes in to make it 6-3, but Mississauga answered four minutes later to restore the four-goal cushion. Newmarket carried much of the action through the period, outshooting Mississauga 19-7, but both goaltenders shut the door. The second closed at 7-3.

In the third, things opened up. The Tomahawks scored two minutes in only to have Kavon Pinnock answer for the Saints on a fast break 18 seconds later. But, again, Mississauga replied, just 28 seconds later to make it 9-4. Undaunted, the young Saints kept pushing. It finally paid off six minutes in as Josh Conners snuck one past Brennan. Angus Rawding followed that up with one of his own 22 seconds later to make it 9-6. Tanacs cut the lead to two a few minutes later and the Saints were back in the game. The teams went back to trading chances, but Brennen and Munro stood tall.

Following a big penalty kill, the Saints had just over a minute left for a final push. An extra attacker allowed Luca Romano to find space and find the back of the net to cut the lead to one. Off the ensuing faceoff, the Saints chased down a Tomahawks defender and set off scramble for the loose ball. Mississauga managed to corral it and send it down the floor.  Newmarket regained possession and called a timeout with just over a second left.  A shot from centre just went wide and the Tomahawks hung on for the win.

"It was a tough start for us, giving up two goals in the first 45 seconds; they came ready to play," said Saints Head Coach, Dan Ransom Sr. "We collected ourselves after the first and our group pushed back, which has been the case all season. We came within a shot of getting that game to OT and giving ourselves a chance at a W. It's the growing pains of a young club, but also a good lesson for our group heading into the weekend."

Final score: Tomahawks 9 – Saints 8.

Up next – the Saints head east for a pair of weekend games. First up, the Far East division leading Akwesasne Indians on Saturday. First faceoff is at 7pm. On Sunday, the Saints travel to Kahnawake to play the Hunters. Game starts at 2pm.

A Parade to the Penalty Box Sinks the Saints Against the Buzz

May 27 – The Saints hit the road, travelling to Oakville Saturday night for a date with the Buzz. Both teams were looking to bounce back into the win column. Dylan Munro got the call in goal for the Saints, while Aden Walsh started for the home side.

The Buzz got the early jump on the Saints. Kyle Kennery found the back of the net just 46 seconds in, quickly followed up by a power play marker from Adam Wolf just two minutes later. Kavin Pinnock cut the lead in half during a wild scramble in the Oakville zone that ended with him shooting on an empty net. The goal seemed to only spark the Buzz who reeled off four straight goals, including two on the power play, to extend the lead to 6-1. The Saints’ finally stemmed the tide with two minutes to play in the period. Brandon Tanacs found the back of the net and then Captain Eric Mawdsley buried his first of the night. The score at the break was 6-3 Buzz.

The second opened with the Saints on a five-minute power play and Mawdsley picked up right where he left off, wiring an outside shot for his second of the game. But penalties came back to bite the Newmarket again as Oakville scored its fourth power play goal to make it 7-4. Mawdsley got it back with his third on another power play, but it was short lived as Kennery answered a minute later to reestablish the three goal lead. The Buzz added another goal late to head into the intermission up 9-5.

The third was more of the same. Kennery bagged his fourth of the game on another power play under a minute in only to have Mawdsley fire right back with his fourth. The Buzz then turned it up, scoring three times in two minutes to make it 13-6. Mawdsley would net his fifth of the game on a great solo effort off a draw and Dougie Crawford added another, but it wasn’t enough as the Saints drop their second straight.

“Foul trouble early and often was the theme in that game," said Saints Head Coach, Dan Ransom Sr. "We can't give teams those type of opportunities, especially 5-on-3, and we will be more disciplined going forward, that's a must."  

Final score: Buzz 13 – Saints 8.

Up next – A rivalry game as the Saints host the Ironheads. Plenty of playoff implications on the line. First faceoff is scheduled for 2PM at Ray Twinney Recreation Complex.

Saints Storm Back to Take Pivotal Game Against Ironheads

May 28 – A high-stakes divisional battle played out at Ray Twinney on Sunday as the Saints took on the Ironheads. Separated by only four points in the standings, both teams were looking to snap multi-game losing streaks. And they had to contend with more than just each other as a heat wave created stifling conditions in the arena.

Cory Campbell got the nod in net for Newmarket, while Liam Wright took the cage for West Durham. Early on, the pair of tenders were the story as both turned aside shot after shot. Finally, 12 minutes into the period, Dante Romano broke in on a fast break and put the first goal on the board. A few minutes later, West Durham answered with a shorthanded marker. The first finished tied at ones.

In the second, things opened up a little as both sides forced multiple turnovers. The Ironheads struck first three minutes into the period only to see Luca Romano even the score a minute later with a nice outside shot. The Saints struck again shortly after on the power play as Captain Eric Mawdsley quick-sticked a cross-crease pass to make it 3-2. The goaltenders took over again from there, turning aside all shots for the next 12 minutes. With only two minutes left on the clock, Bryce Keats cut through, made a nice move and buried the equalizer to tie the game at three. As the period wound down, a loose ball battle ended with a five-minute slashing major to Saints goaltender, Cory Campbell, setting the stage for a big third.

The period opened with the Ironheads peppering the net only to be denied by Campbell. The Saints killed more than two minutes of the major before West Durham snuck one in to take the lead. Almost five minutes later, a great shorthanded play by Jackson Raposo padded the Ironheads’ lead. West Durham looked poised to run away with it, but a solo effort by Brandon Tanacs cut the lead to one and reversed the momentum.

The Ironheads then took a holding penalty and called for a jersey measurement on Campbell. The challenge failed, putting them two men short, and the Saints capitalized. Dougie Crawford tied the game on the power play with an outside shot from the left shooter. Under two minutes later, Nolan Rutty made a nice defensive play near centre, stole the ball and headed in all alone. A quick fake and shot from ten-feet out found the back of the net giving Rutty his first Jr.B goal and the Saints a 6-5 lead. Tanacs’ second followed just under two minutes later to put the home side ahead by two. Aidan Flannery broke in all alone but was taken down from behind on the play and awarded a penalty shot. Flannery made a nice move but hit iron and West Durham had life. Any chance of a comeback was thwarted though as Angus Rawding buried an insurance marker from in tight just 37 seconds later. With a three goal lead the Saints’ defence, along with Campbell, shut the door the rest of the way.

"That game was about as tight as it can get through two frames, both goalies were lights out," said Saints Head Coach, Dan Ransom Sr. "The turning point for us was probably the 5-on-3; we seemed to find our legs after that and get on a roll. Credit to our group, we pushed back in the third after a tough game Saturday night in Oakville."

Final score: Saints 8 – Ironheads 5.

Up next – The Saints look for redemption as they wrap up their season-series with the Mississauga Tomahawks. Game time is 8PM on Thursday at Ray Twinney Recreation Complex.

Saints Take it to Overtime, but Come up Short Against Bulldogs

May 20 - The Saints and the Bulldogs entered Saturday night looking to take a step in their seasons and in the standings.  60 minutes wasn't enough for these clubs and, for the first time this season, the Saints had to settle things in overtime.

Starting in goal for the Saints was Dylan Munro, while the Bulldogs countered with Samuel Haines.

Newmarket set the tone early reeling off three straight goals to open the frame. Dante Romano's hot streak continued as he buried the the first, quickly followed by a sneaky shot from Angus Rawding and then Romano again on a great shorthanded solo effort. Halton Hills would get one back, before Saints Captain Eric Mawdsley sniped a shorty of his own. The teams traded goals once again, with Josh Connors closing out the scoring to give the Saints a 5-2 lead into the break.

In the second, the Bulldogs turned the tide and took it to the Saints. They reeled off five goals in the frame, while Brandon Tanacs was the only Saint to find the back of the net. When the buzzer sounded to end the period, the Bulldogs led 7-6.

The Bulldogs looked to run away with it the third, finding the back of the net twice in the first six minutes of the period to build a 9-6 lead. But the Saints refused to quit. Dougie Crawford got things started, busting through to the slot and picking a corner to cut the lead. The Saints got another golden opportunity only minutes later in the form of a 7 minute power play, but couldn't capitalize. Undaunted, the Saints kept pressing and Tanacs' second of the game made it a one goal game with just over two minutes to play. 11 seconds later, Newmarket corralled the ball and Dante Romano tied the game.  

Once extra time started, the two sides traded chances until the Bulldogs broke through to take the lead with four minutes to go. They followed up with an insurance marker two minutes later and looked, again, to have things in control. But it wasn't over yet. Luca Romano's outside shot found twine to make it 11-10 with just over a minute to play. Halton Hills tried to salt the game away, controlling the ball and getting a reset, but the Saints regained possession with 7 seconds to go. A timeout, a play call and the game was back on. The Saints got a decent look, but couldn't tie it up. The Bulldogs walked away with the win.

"Tough loss. I feel for the guys because they deserved it," said Saints Head Coach, Dan Ransom Sr. "We won the first and third periods, but we got burned again by the second. In the game of lacrosse, you make a couple mental errors and they end up in the back of your net."

Despite the loss, the coach remains upbeat. "We showed a lot of character getting it into overtime, but we fell one short. The good news is we are right there."

Final score: Bulldogs 11 - Saints 10.

View Game Photos.

Up next - the Saints get set for a pair of weekend battles. First they travel to Oakville to take on the Buzz in a Saturday night tilt at 7PM at Joshua's Creek Arena. The next day, the Saints host the West Durham Ironheads in a pivotal divisional matchup.  

Saints Rally Back Against Griffins to Salvage Weekend

May 14 – The Saints celebrated Mother’s Day with an afternoon tilt against the Gloucester Griffins. It was a quick turnaround for both squads from Saturday night games and it showed as both teams were short players.

Cory Campbell was between the pipes for Newmarket, while Tristan Staff got the call for Gloucester. 

Early on, it was the visitors that took it to the home side. The Griffins scored four times in the opening 12 minutes to put the Saints on their heels. With just over three minutes left in the frame, Brodie Willard was sent in all alone on a breakaway pass from Coulson Link and put the Newmarket on the board. Only a minute later, Brandon Tanacs cut the lead in half, before adding another with 25 seconds left to go into the intermission with the Griffins up 4-3.

In the second, things opened up with the two sides trading chances. Dante Romano evened the score early, but Gloucester pushed back, netting a pair of tallies to make it 6-4. Angus Rawding cut the lead to one with a nice outside shot, and then a minute later the Griffins struck again, scoring two quick ones to make it 8-5.  Luckily for the Saints, the offence kept pushing and Rawding and Tanacs found the twine with their second and third goals respectively. Going into the break the Griffins held an 8-7 lead.

When the third started, the Saints finally seemed to find their legs. Dante Romano tied the game at eights just a minute in and followed up with go-ahead goal seven minutes later to complete his first Junior B hat trick. Rawding buried his third of the night 39 seconds later to extend the lead to 10-8. Campbell then shut the door the rest of the way and Dante Romano added his fourth of the night to give the Saints the win.

"They we're hungry and ready to go from the opening draw and we weren't prepared," said Saints Head Coach, Dan Ransom Sr. "Getting down four early , especially with a banged up group, was not the start we wanted.

"Our push back from that point on was impressive though. We played a heck of a third period with a tired group on the back end of two games in less then 24 hours against a very well coached team.  Really proud of our effort (Sunday) afternoon."

Final score: Saints 11 – Griffins 8

Up next – the Saints get a few days off before heading Halton Hills Saturday night to take on the Bulldogs. First faceoff is set for 7:30PM at Mold-Masters SportsPlex.

Saints Come up Short in Tight Battle Versus the Knights

May 13 – The Saints got their first glimpse of the Far East division over the weekend as the Ottawa-area teams made the trek to Newmarket.  It was the Nepean Knights that matched up with the home side on Saturdaynight and it went down to the wire.

Dylan Munro manned the mesh for the Saints while Denzel Moran-Weekes got the start for the Knights. 

Newmarket opened the scoring on a nice shot from Eric Mawdsley. The two teams traded chances after that until penalties hit the Saints and the Knights capitalized, scoring two quick power play goals. The Saints’ Brodie Willard got it back to even, but a late period goal by Neapean with just three seconds remaining on the clock gave Nepean the 3-2 lead going into the intermission.

The second was a grind for both offences. The goalies shut the door and defences kept the shots to the outside. Coulson Link finally broke through, scoring his first career Junior B goal and tying the game at threes on an outside look that went bar down. Nepean would answer right back with two quick goals, including a shorthanded breakaway to take a 5-3 lead into the break.

The Knights picked up right where they left off in the third, firing a pair of shots past Munro to extend the lead to 7-3. It looked like Nepean was going to run away with it, but penalties turned the tide. Mawdsley found the back of the net on the power play at the five minute mark and then put home his third of the night on a solo effort to make it a two-goal game.

The Saints continued to control the play and pulled Munro with a few minutes left.  The extra man paid off as Angus Rawding’s scored with just a minute to go to cut the lead to one. Newmarket got the ball back off the next draw, worked it around and Aiden Fearn fired a bounce shot right off the far post. The Knights added an empty netter to take the game.

"That was a real tight game, both teams pushing the pace and the goaltenders were equal to the task," said Saints Head Coach, Dan Ransom Sr. "They went on a bit of a run there late in the second and continued early into the third to put us down by four. Credit to our group, we pushed back and got a good look to tie it late, but the post won that battle. That's a good ball club that capitalized on our mistakes."

Final score: Knights 8 – Saints 6.

View Game Photos.

Up next – the Saints host the Gloucester Griffins Sunday afternoon.  Is there a better way to celebrate Mother’s Day?

Saints Bested by Tomahawks in One-Sided Affair

May 10 – A Wednesday night match-up at the historic Port Credit Arena pitted the Saints against the Tomahawks. Cory Campbell took the cage for Newmarket, while Adam Brennan got the call for Mississauga. 

The two sides traded chances early on, until Zavier Luddington managed to give Newmarket the lead five minutes in on a great solo effort. But after that, the Tomahawks took over, out-shooting and out-battling the Saints for loose balls. Halfway through the first, Mississauga struck, igniting a four-goal run to close out the period up 4-1.

The break did little to stem the momentum as Mississauga came out running and buried three more just over five minutes into the period.  Dougie Crawford and Luca Romano managed to cut the lead, but the Tomahawks went another run to close the second, heading to intermission up 10-3.

The third was a more evenly matched period, but the Saints still struggled to find the net. Mississauga extended the lead to 13-3 until Romano and Angus Rawding found the twine. 

“That's one you dwell on for about 5 minutes and then move on,” said Saints Head Coach, Dan Ransom Sr. “Players scrambled to get there. Guys called in sick. We started late and we ended up behind. Not a good night all around. The only good news is we've got two home games this weekend to make up for it.”

Final score: Tomahawks 13 – Saints 5.

Up next – the Saints host a pair of weekend games against teams from the Far East Division. The Nepean Knights are first up on Saturday night. 730PM start time at Ray Twinney.

And be sure to come out Sunday for a special Mother’s Day game. All moms get in for free to see the Saints take on the Gloucester Griffins at 2PM.