The Mister Transmission Orillia Jr. B Kings earned a split in two hard-fought Jr. B lacrosse games this weekend to improve their record to 3-3 on the young season.
On Saturday in Halton Hills, the Kings tamed the Bulldogs 11-9 in a thrilling come-from-behind victory. The Kings' veterans showed poise in the final minutes of the game to help secure the victory.
Leading the attack on offence was Colsen Maracle with a hat trick and Gabe Neely with a pair of goals. Jack Marwick had a goal and three assists, Jesse Ashkewe had a goal and a pair of assists and single tallies went to Jake Curran, Sam Neely, Brycen Murray and Ty Ross.
In the final minutes of the contest, the team showed a lot of character in holding onto the win. Captain Noah Quarrington, Marwick and Ross sacrificed their bodies while short-handed and blocked several shots each to help preserve the win.
Riley Thayer earned the Dapper Depot Player of the Game Saturday night by playing incredible shut-down defence on the Bulldogs' top scorer and kept him off the scoresheet entirely.
It was a different story on Sunday when the Kings let one slip away in the final minutes as they lost a 12-11 decision to the Orangeville Northmen.
The Kings let an 8-3 lead slip away after taking control of the game in the second period. Undisciplined penalties allowed the Northmen to build momentum on the power play and claw their way back into the game.
The Kings' coaching staff will look to rectify that problem in the coming games.
Last year's rookie of the year, Maracle, led the attack for the Kings, netting five goals and picking up an assist, while veteran Ashkewe tallied a hat trick and added an assist. Sam Neely, Carson Thayer and Murray each picked up single tallies on the night to round out the scoring. Marwick had three assists while Gabe Neely picked up a pair.
Quinton Greenfied was a wall in net facing more than 60 shots. His play over the weekend gave the Kings confidence and a chance to win both games.
Maracle picked up the Dapper Depot Player of the Game award thanks to his five-goal performance.
The Kings are back home at Orillia's Rotary Place Thursday night, when they host Brampton. The game is billed as 'Ladies Night' and will be highlighted by a U19 Lady Kings hardest shot competition.
Fans are encouraged to bring their mom, grandma, aunt and sister to support the Kings and there will be a door prize from P.D. Murphy Jewellers up for grabs.
The Millwood Logistics shootout between the first and second period will feature prizes courtesy of Wilkies Bakery and Summerskates.
The Booster Club will be open during the game thanks, in part, to Branch 34 of the Royal Canadian Legion (Orillia). Game time is 8 p.m.
