Poskay's Five-Spot Helps Boston Rout Nats

from press release

BOSTON, Mass. - The Boston Cannons (7-3) defeated the Toronto Nationals (3-7) by a score of 17-10 at Harvard Stadium in Boston, MA Saturday night in front of an energetic crowd of 7,477. The Cannons' Matt Poskay was named Bud Light MVP for his 5 goal (7 point) record setting effort. With the win, the Cannons became the first team in Major League Lacrosse to clinch a spot in the 2010 Championship Weekend.

With both teams playing short-handed due to the FIL World Championship Game, the first quarter was an evenly contested battle that saw both teams score three goals apiece. Toronto got the action started three minutes in as defenseman Terry Kimener scored his first goal of the season, giving the Nationals a 1-0 lead.

Boston, looking to continue its home magic this season, followed Kimener's goal with three straight tallies from Justin Smith, Kevin Buchanan and Mike Stone to grab a 3-1 advantage. Costly penalties from Mitch Belisle and Jack Reid allowed Toronto to score two power-play goals from Brett Bucktooth and Stephen Waldeck as the quarter ended in a 3-3 tie.

Smith opened the second quarter by scoring a highlight reel style goal as he dove fully extended from behind the net and beat the Nationals goalie to give the Cannons a 4-3 lead. A minute later, Brad Ross gave Boston a three goal cushion as he rifled home a two-point goal. Stone's second goal of the contest, a top shelf tally, opened up a 7-3 lead for the Cannons with just over three and a half minutes remaining in the quarter.

Poskay, MLL's leading goal scorer, netted his 35th goal of the season as Boston took momentum late in the half. Smith continued to be a thorn in the National's side as he scored his third goal of the half with under a minute left to put the Cannons on top 9-4 heading into the locker room.

In an exciting third quarter it was the Nationals who struck first, with Anthony Muscerella's first goal of 2010 bringing Toronto within four at 9-5. The remainder of the quarter was all Boston as Buchanan notched two goals and Poskay fired home three, scoring two goals with under ten seconds left in the quarter.

Toronto scored three straight goals from Brice Queener, Mike McLellan, and Delby Poweless to open up the fourth quarter and bring the Nationals within six at 14-8. With 6:18 remaining in the quarter, Poskay made history by scoring his fifth goal of the game, and 134th of his career, to become the Cannons all-time goal scoring leader. Boston proved to be too powerful for Toronto as Pat Heim,Chris Eck and Glenn Adams all added goals in the quarter. The Nationals received goals from Muscerella and Kevin Ross to round out their evening.