Toronto Nationals win their First Game of the Season Against the Lizards

The Toronto Nationals were triumphant against the Long Island Lizards, winning their first game of the season. Corey Smal scored a hat trick, while eight separate players hit the back of the net throughout the game. Brodie Merrill scored the game ending goal with one second left, confirming the Nationals a win with a score of 11-9.

 

Toronto dominated the first quarter, scoring four goals against Long Island netminder Drew Adams. Geoff Snider retaliated on the Lizards opening goal by scoring one of his own 25 seconds later. Greg Gurienlian attempted to build momentum for Long Island but Toronto shut them down for the rest of the quarter, finishing the first with a score of 4-2 for the Nationals. Corey Small contributed his first goal of the game, while John Grant Jr. followed for his ninth of the season. Brett Bucktoothís goal rounded out the quarter.

 

In the second quarter, the Lizards turned the tables and put up the first four goals. Four minutes later, Jordan Hall extended Torontoís lead to 5-2 with an unassisted goal. Corey Small broke through Long Islandís defense for his second goal of the game, off a pass from Brodie Merrill. The score sat at 6-5 at the end of the half. The Nationals were determined to win their first game, knowing they had it in their grasps at the start of the third quarter. One minute in, Kevin Huntley scored the tying goal, starting the Nationals dominance of the second half. Tim Goettelmann scored his second of the game, but Gavin Prout and Jordan Hall wouldnít let that stop them, scoring one goal each.

 

The Lizards closed out the quarter with a goal that tied the game at 8 apiece. Zach Greer scored the first and only goal of the fourth for the Lizards. Three goals from the Nationals confirmed their first win of the season. Shawn Williams tied the game at 9, before Corey Smail completed his hat trick, putting Toronto up by one with three minutes left. Brodie Merrill put the finishing touch on the win with his last second goal. The Nationals take on the Bayhawks for their third and final meeting of the regular season on Thursday, June 24 at 7:30 p.m.

 

They will be back at home on July 1st to celebrate Canada Day and take on the Boston Cannons for the first time at Lamport.