Nll Prospects Help Coquitlam Take 2-0 Minto Cup Lead Over Six Nations

Draft hopefuls Berg (’15) & McLaughlin key Adanacs past Powless & Arrows

NLL players and prospects continued to star in Minto Cup action as the Coquitlam Adanacs carried Saturday night’s momentum into Game 2 with an 11-6 win over the Six Nations Arrows on Sunday night at Langley Events Centre.

Once again, the Adanacs were led by their stars. Tyler Pace and 2015 NLL Draft prospect Wesley Berg contributed with five points each. Eli McLaughlin, projected as a top-five pick in the upcoming NLL Draft on Sept. 22, had two goals and two assists and James Rahe chipped in with a three timely goals to give Coquitlam a 2-0 series lead.

The Adanacs controlled most of the game and continued their strong special teams play with two powerplay goals and a shorthanded marker.

“Our discipline was key,” said Coquitlam head coach Neil Doddridge. “When you’re disciplined and you cash in on the powerplay, it makes a world of difference.”

Led by the Calgary Roughnecks’ 2013 fourth-round draft pick Peter Dubenski, who made 26 saves on 32 shots, Coquitlam held the Six Nations offense to only three goals after 40 minutes.

“Dubenski was on again tonight and our defense was locked in,” said Doddridge. “It makes it hard for an offense to click when the defense is playing tight and aggressive.”

“We started off really well which is something we rarely do,” said forward Tyler Pace, the game’s first star. “I wasn’t satisfied with my performance last night, so today was my turn to step up.”

For Six Nations, this marks the first time all season the team has lost back-to-back games. The Arrows offensive struggles continue, scoring twelve goals in two games. Six Nations captain Johnny Powless, who has won three-straight titles with the Rochester Knighthawks, was held to just two assists.

“It was just a poor overall effort,” said Arrows head coach Marshall Abrams. “We came out flat and they jumped all over us.”

The Arrows were outshot 56-35 and took 15 penalties compared to Coquitlam’s 10 penalties.

“Once again, we showed our inexperience in the finals,” said Abrams. “We took too many penalties and it’s hard to play like that, especially when you’re down. It’ll be nice to take a day off tomorrow. It’ll give the boys a chance to wipe their heads clean and put these two games behind them.”

Click here for the boxscore from Game 2.

Coquitlam leads the best-of-seven series 2-0. Game 3 of the Minto Cup is Tuesday at 11 p.m. ET at Langley Events Centre.

NLL players:
Johnny Powless (Six Nations & Rochester Knighthawks)
Don Alton (Six Nations & Philadelphia Wings)
Wenster Green (Six Nations & Rochester Knighthawks)
Peter Dubenski (Coquitlam & Calgary Roughnecks)
Taylor Northway (Coquitlam & Rochester Knighthawks)

NLL draft prospects:
Eli McLaughlin (Coquitlam- eligible for 2014 NLL Draft)
Wes Berg (Coquitlam- eligible for 2015 NLL Draft)