NATIONALS HELP INDOOR TEAM TAKE PLAYOFF GAME

The Brampton Excelsiors used a six-goal run to rally to erase a 5-2 second-period deficit at Powerade Centre. Brampton goalie Anthony Cosmo, 41 saves, shut out the Lakers for the final 33 minutes, which allowed the offense to find its rhythm.

Walters gave Brampton its first lead of the night with an outside shot at 1:22 of the third period. Former National Dan Dawson earned his with his fourth on the fourth straight Brampton goal.
 
"It felt great to score a big goal in the third period to put us up for good," said Walters. "This is going to be a tough series. I'm just glad I came alive in the third to help us get the win."
 
Walters also had a hand in the seventh Brampton goal, which was scored by another Knighthawk at 7:30 of the third. Jarrett Davis tapped the ball just over the goal line for a 7-5 lead. Joe Resetarits then notched his fourth of the night at 7:25 on a delayed penalty to increase the lead to 8-5.

 

The Nationals Geoff Snider picked up an assist on Mark Steenhuis’ goal at 13:59 of the first to give the Lakers a 2-1, which would grow to 4-1 and 5-2 in the second before the Brampton comeback. Snider also won eight of 14 draws.

 

Game 3 is set for Wednesday, August 24th at 8:00 p.m. at the Memorial Centre in Peterborough.

 

The Nationals will travel to the 2011 Sports Authority MLL Championship Weekend (August 27th and 28th) at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. The top-seeded Boston Cannons will face the defending MLL champion Chesapeake Bayhawks in the first semifinal at noon on Saturday, while Hamilton and Denver will play in the second semifinal at 3:00 p.m. The Nationals' game will be broadcast live on ESPN 2 and ESPN3.com.