An 8-1 win over the visiting Edmonton Wizards has given the Westlock midget Rock lacrosse team a strong 7-1 start to their season.
Playing at home on May 16, the Rock jumped out to a 5-0 lead before the Wizards scored their only goal of the game midway through the second period.
Two second-period goals and one more in the third rounded out the scoring, giving the home side a convincing win.
“They played a hell of a game,” said head coach Kevin Peyre. “They’re playing really well as a team and are buying into the system.”
Peyre said the key to the game against the Wizards was the Rock’s “stellar” defence and strong goaltending.
Jacob Grainger opened the scoring for the Rock at the 4:46 mark of the first period, with Adam Hardinge drawing the assist.
Grainger doubled his team’s lead at 5:55 with an unassisted goal.
At 9:02, Hunter Mitchell scored unassisted to make it 3-0 Westlock. Daneel Lategan’s goal at 9:42 from Hardinge made it 4-0 heading into the second period.
In the second, Mitchell scored at 5:08 to make it 5-0.
Unfortunately, the Wizards scored at 10:15 to break the Rock’s shot at their third shutout of the season.
Despite seeing their shutout busted, the Rock continued to apply the pressure, and were rewarded at 12:22 when Hardinge notched his first of the game to make it 6-1. Lategan had the assist.
With only 2:14 to play in the period, Hardinge got his second of the game on an assist from Ryan Archer, making the score 7-1 at the second intermission.
In the third, Regan Veenbaas scored at 8:54 to make the final score 8-1. Ryan Craig earned the assist.
With eight goals scored, and only one allowed, Peyre said he was happy with the Rock’s total team effort, starting from the defence and up through the passing on offence.
The win gives the Rock a five-game winning streak, and a 7-1 record overall heading into their next game May 24 at home against the Edmonton Rams.
