In the Capital Region Axemen’s (13-0) last home game of the season on Saturday night, they were able to beat the top ranked team in the TNLL (Three Nations Lacrosse League), the St. Regis Braves (7-3), by a score of 14-4. The Axemen continue to be a powerhouse and still have yet to lose a game during their 2016 campaign.
In the second half of their home-and-and against the Braves, the Axemen were looking to continue their momentum from Friday night, where they won by a score of 9-5. The first half of the first period of Saturday night’s game gave the impression that this game would as close and exciting as the game the night before. #98 Callum Crawford was able to open the scoring for the Axemen, when he took the ball the length of the floor by himself after being caught back in the defensive zone. He would finish the game with 9 points (5,4). Both teams would trade goals shortly after that, with the Axemen holding the lead 2-1 midway through the first period. Capital region would amp up the defensive pressure in the second half of the period, limiting the amount of quality scoring chances that starting goaltender #1 Brett Perras was faced with. Perras would also be an asset on the offensive side of the floor, helping out Crawford in the 3rd goal of the game with a stick-to-stick rink-wide pass before Crawford fired an underhand rip top corner, a split second before the shot clock expired. The Axemen were able to close out the period on a 5-goal run and head into the break up 6-1.
The second period began with some serious pressure from the Braves, but Perras was able to handle everything that was thrown his way, including an amazing cross-crease save that brought the crowd to their feet. Capital region was able to find their bearings shortly afterwards, and went on a 7-2 run throughout the period to put the game out of reach. #71 Geoff McNulty would have three assists in the period, to add on to his goal and 2 assists from the first to finish of a 6-point night. #92 Mark Vradenburg would also score 2 of his 3 goals on the evening, while also an assist in the first period for a 4-point night. Capital Region would be up 13-1 heading in to the third period.
As has been customary for most of the Axemen’s season this year, they headed into the third period of the game well in control, with very little chance the opposing team would be able to mount such a significant comeback. Capital Region and St. Regis would trade goals in the period, to end the game with a final score of 14-4 in favour of the Axemen.
The Axemen look to keep their momentum going into their final game of the 2016 regular season, which is Saturday, July 23rd, versus the Kahnawake Mohawks in Kahnawake.
Highlights for the game can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2U2E7VUeofs