Colten Colmorgen's third consecutive goal with 43 seconds left in regulation time capped a wild third period, and lifted the North Okanagan Reapers to a 7-6 Thompson Okanagan Junior Lacrosse League win over the visiting Cranbrook Blackwolves Saturday, April 26, at the Sunbelt Arena in Armstrong.
Colmorgen scored his team's final three goals in the last 3:40 of the contest as the Reapers rallied from a 6-4 deficit.
The teams were tied 1-1 after the opening 20 minutes, and deadlocked 3-3 going into the third period.
After Nate Williamson gave North Okanagan a 4-3 lead, the Blackwolves – playing their season opener – responded with three straight goals from Matt Columbo, Owen Detta, and Jake Thompson to take a 6-4 advantage, setting the stage for Colmorgen's hat trick.
Zack Milne had two goals for the Reapers, who improved to 3-2 on the season, while Coeden Cruickshank added the other marker.
Linden Olorenshaw scored twice for the Blackwolves, while Zack Columbo potted the other.
Reigning TOJLL Goalie of the Year Ryley Lockhurst made 36 saves for the Reapers while Nolan Lamond made 31 saves for Blackwolves, who salvaged a point from their season-opening road trip with an 11-11 tie against the league-leading Venom in Kamloops Sunday, April 27.
Goals from Detta and Olorenshaw in the final 2:40 earned Cranbrook the tie. The dynamic duo accounted for 10 of the 11 goals with Detta scoring six times, and Olorenshaw adding four. The other goal was the team's first of the game, scored by Matt Columbo.
Lamond made 52 saves for the Blackwolves, who are back in action Saturday, May 3, when they play their home opener against the Kelowna Kodiaks at ACS Field at Memorial Arena. Game time is 7 p.m. MDT.
The Reapers will play a pair of exhibition games against the West Kootenay Timberwolves Saturday and Sunday, May 3 and 4, at the Sunbelt Arena. The teams battle Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 3:15 p.m.
SENIOR LACROSSE
The two-time defending B.C.Senior C Lacrosse champions look in mid-season form just two games into the new Thompson Okanagan Senior Lacrosse League season.
The Kelowna Raiders celebrated their home opener Friday, April 25, blanking the visiting Vernon Tigers 17-0 at the Rutland Arena.
Kelowna opened the season in Kamloops April 13 with a 19-8 romp over the Rattlers.
The Raiders led 5-0 and 12-0 by periods. Veteran Kelowna goalie Graham Cousins earned the shutout with a 35-save performance. Andrew Garant led the Kelowna offence with four goals and four assists.
Vernon (0-1) looked like a team that was rebuilding and playing its first game together. Before the game there were handshakes from new players meeting for the first time. Just to keep the team alive Vernon has made contact from players ranging from Penticton to Revelstoke.
Five of the eight newly recruited players played in this first game. Many hadn’t played in years and one was his first game ever. Vernon lost five of its top-seven point scorers from last season due to various circumstances. Both Vernon goalies Brodie MacDonald and Derek Pereboom played great facing a total of 84 shots.
The Armstrong Shamrocks, meanwhile, dropped a close 12-11 decision to the Rattlers in their season-opening game Sunday, April 27, in Kamloops.
Kyle Versteeg led Armstrong with a pair of goals and three assists, while Owen Barker and Steve Mcilwrath chipped in 2+2.
