Nationals clipped by Bayhawks, 14-10, in home opener

5/19/11 7:00 PM

(Hamilton, May 19)… The Hamilton Nationals battled back all night, even getting as close as two goals, but could not overtake the defending champion Chesapeake Bayhawks, 14-10, at McMaster University. The game will be televised on Cable 14 on Friday, May 20th at 7:00 p.m.

The Bayhawks improved to 2-0 and extended their winning streak to six games dating back to last season. The Nationals fell to 0-2 with the home loss.

Chesapeake was led by a six-point effort from Michael Kimmel (4+2) and a five-point performance from Danny Glading (3+2). Garrett Billings (three goals) and John Grant Jr. (three assists) led the Hamilton offense.
The Bayhawks struck early as Kimmel opened the game with a tally from the right wing side 2:11 into the game for a 1-0 lead. Hamilton’s Jordan Hall tied it at one at 4:45 off an inside pass from Grant Jr. Billings then put the Nats ahead 2-1 from Grant Jr. just 34 seconds later.

Chesapeake pulled ahead with four straight goals to end the quarter. Dan Hardy evened the contest at two after squeezing a shot past Scott Rodgers. The Bayhawks tallied again 50 seconds later as Justin Smith ripped one from 12 yards out for a 3-2 lead. Chesapeake extended its run to 3-0 with a goal by Glading with under two minutes to go in the first. Ben Rubeor made it 5-2 with eight seconds left.

In the second, the Nationals ran into a case of the terrible twos, as Kimmel, Glading and Hardy all connected for their second goals of the games. Kimmel opened the second quarter like he opened the first…with a driving shot from the wing. His second of the night increased the Bayhawks lead to 6-2. Glading scored his second of the game off a turnover to make it five straight goals and a 7-2 advantage. Hardy then struck for an 8-2 lead.

Rookie Jeremy Boltus ended the run with a goal at 7:34 from Joe Walters, while on the man up. It also ended a 16-minute scoreless drought against Chris Garrity. Matt Abbott helped the Hawks regain a six-goal lead with his first of the season with under four to go in the half. Billings scored his second of the game as he fired a shot off the crossbar, caught his own rebound and fired it by Garrity to make it 9-4. Joe Marra replaced starter Scott Rodgers to start the third. The Bayhawks also inserted their other goalie as Brian Phipps replaced Garrity.

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