Nats Blank Boston in Fourth, Win Third Straight
from staff reports
TORONTO -- The Toronto Nationals held the
Boston Cannons scoreless in the fourth quarter of a 15-13 victory,
their third straight after an 0-5 start. Jordan Hall was named Bud
Light MVP for his two-goal and one-assist night for the home team,
which celebrated Canada Day.
The game started with the defenses unable to stop the opposing
offenses. The Cannons started the game with the first two
offensive possessions and took an early 2-0 lead.
The Nationals had the next three possessions and kept the offensive streak going, taking a 3-2 lead halfway through the quarter. Corey Small of the Nationals scored one of his two goals to make for his eighth goal in three games. Nationals' Mark Steenhuis ended the first quarter scoring, notching a goal with 56 seconds to go to give Toronto a 4-3 lead.
Toronto's Geoff Snider took the second quarter's opening
face-off down the field and scored seven seconds in. Brett
Bucktooth followed with his first goal of the game assisted by John
Grant Jr. to increase the lead to 7-4. The teams traded the
next three goals until the Cannons rattled off four in a row.
Toronto ended a high scoring first half as the teams went into
halftime tied 9-9.
Kevin Huntley, Brett Bucktooth, Mark Steenhuis, Craig Point and
Jordan Hall each scored to end the third quarter, but Boston still
led 13-12.
The Nationals opened the fourth quarter scoring off a Cannons turnover to tie the score at 13.
Neither team could find the back of the net over the next 10-plus minutes. Brett Queener made several great saves to keep the score tied at 13-13. Jordan Hall scored with 3:58 remaining to give the Nationals a 14-13 lead. Billings added insurance with just over three minutes remaining.
The Cannons offense could not get another shot on goal, as they were held scoreless in the fourth.
Nats alumnus and Hall of Famer Gary Gait hosted a clinic with young lacrosse players prior to the game.
