Undefeated Niagara team holds alumni day in NOTL on Saturday

Andy Boldt
Special to The Lake Report

The undefeated U22 Niagara Thunderhawks completed their regular season with two more wins to thrust them into the number one seed in the Ontario Lacrosse League standings. 

The Thunderhawks head into the regular season playoffs starting Friday, July 8 at Virgil’s Meridian Credit Union arena versus Hamilton for the “A” division title. 

The team’s latest wins came against their upcoming playoff opponent the Hamilton Bengals and the Simcoe Timberwolves. 

In the Hamilton game, the Thunderhawks were able to bury nine goals against the Bengals starting just a minute and a half into the first period. 

Goals came from Nolan Price (1), Noah Ostromecki (1), Kris Wilson (1), Ethan Williams (1), Keaton Boldt (2) and Jordan Wiens (3). 

Although the Bengals were able to score twice, goalie Tanyan Davis had an excellent game, making some notable saves to give the offence the opportunity to keep pressure on their opponents. 

The Thunderhawks then travelled to Simcoe to dominate the Timberwolves 11-2. Despite the score, the game did have some exciting accent points. 

Wiens scored a hat trick, his second in as many games. 

Sam Vanderzalm fought off two Timberwolves in front of his opponents’ net and took an uncharacteristic behind the back shot to the delight of his cheering teammates.

The game was so one-sided that during the third period, the offensive and defensive players switched roles.

Although not totally unfamiliar to all players, most of the players over the past three to four years have had a specific role on their teams. So it was entertaining to watch some of the players navigate their new positions.  

After a number of “almost” goals by the defence, Liam Gatt was able to tickle the twine with 30 seconds left to give the defensive team a goal to call their own. 

The Thunderhawks open their best-of-three playoffs versus Hamilton at home on Friday at 8 p.m.

The game will be a good warmup for their biggest test of the season versus the Milton Mavericks, an exhibition double-header the next day.

The Thunderhawks have extended an open invitation to the community and especially to all past NOTL lacrosse players to come and support the team on Saturday at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. during this NOTL Alumni Day.

People can meet current players, share stories from the glory days and support some of the best sports entertainment NOTL has to offer.

Andy Boldt is head coach of the U22 Thunderhawks.