Sleeping Giant Awakens, As Nationals Win Again
|
|
Rookie goalie Scott Rodgers lines up one of his 11 first-half saves Thursday in Toronto's 17-14 win over Chesapeake. © John Strohsacker/LaxPhotos.com |
ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Midfielder Garrett Billings
scored three goals and dished off an assist in his season debut
while attackman Kevin Huntley totaled two goals and two assists as
the Toronto Nationals defeated the Chesapeake Bayhawks 17-14 at
Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on Thursday night.
Attackman Corey Small had a hat trick for Toronto, which never
trailed in the contest. Attackman John Grant Jr. and midfielder
Jordan Hall had two goals and an assist for the Nationals (2-5),
who have now won two straight.
Midfielder Brian Vetter scored a career-high four goals to lead
Chesapeake (4-3), which has lost two straight for the first time
this season. Midfielder Peet Poillon had three goals and an assist
while attackman Danny Glading added a goal and three assists for
the Bayhawks, who fell behind 3-0 in the opening five minutes and
played catch-up the whole way.
"It's frustrating. Once you fall behind you start forcing things,"
Vetter said. "We're making bad decisions, especially in transition
and as far as shot selection."
Attackman Andrew "Buggs" Combs had a hat trick for Chesapeake,
which rallied from a 10-6 halftime deficit to tie the score at the
10:04 mark of the third quarter. Poillon had a huge 2-point goal on
a wicked underhand crank shot as the Bayhawks went on a 4-0 run to
start the second half.
However, Grant responded with a 2-pointer of his own to cap a 4-0
run as Toronto pushed its lead back to four goals at 14-10 with
3:15 left in the third. Chesapeake would close to 15-14 with five
minutes elapsed in the fourth quarter when Vetter fired in a
beautiful overhand shot on the run and Glading followed a minute
later with a nice low-to-high shot.
Toronto was not going to be denied on this night as newly-acquired
Jake Deane scored directly off a faceoff and Billings netted his
final goal to complete the scoring. Deane was one of five new
players activated by the Nationals for Thursday night's game.
Billings, who was picked up off waivers this week, was named the
Bud Light MVP.
Alex Smith won 21 of 32 faceoffs for Chesapeake, but 14-for-31
shooting and a slew of turnovers negated the possession advantage.
Goalkeeper Chris Garrity did what he could to keep the Bayhawks in
the game with 12 saves, several on point-blank shot attempts.
"We're giving up too many runs. Each of us has to be accountable,
myself included, about communicating better and sliding properly,"
Bayhawks defenseman Michael Evans said.
Rookie midfielder Michael Kimmel contributed a goal and two
assists for the Bayhawks, who now have a lengthy break before
traveling to Denver for a night game (9 p.m.) on July 4.
"We have a week and a half off to regroup and get it going
again," Combs said. "Coach (John Tucker) challenged us as a group
and individually at halftime tonight. Some guys responded well to
it and hopefully that carries over into the next game. I'm not
worried. Things will come together. We're still the same team that
started the season 4-1.
