Snipers cruise to victory over Monarchs

Travis Longboat would have had been excused if he didn’t have a solid performance in his debut with the Six Nations Snipers this season. Longboat had missed the Snipers’ first three Arena Lacrosse League (ALL) contests this year as he was alternating between the active and practice rosters for the National Lacrosse League’s George Swarm.

Though he didn’t dress for the contest, Longboat was with the Georgia squad for its Saturday night outing against the host Halifax Thunderbirds. He flew back to Ontario on Sunday and arrived less than half an hour before the Snipers squared off against the Toronto Monarchs at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena (ILA) in Hagersville. Longboat racked up 10 points (three goals and seven assists) in the match as the Snipers cruised to a 20-12 victory against the Monarchs.

“We weren’t certain if he was going to play,” said Tye Argent, one of Longboat’s Six Nations teammates. “We found out when we got to the arena. It was nice to hear that.” 

Argent, who had an impressive performance himself notching three goals and adding three assists, praised Longboat’s efforts. “He had a solid game for sure,” he said. “He was in on everything.” 

The Snipers had a commanding 13-4 lead at halftime. Six Nations increased its lead by scoring the only two goals of the third quarter. “We just came out firing,” Argent said. “And we were all clicking.”

It was the second time this season the Snipers scored 20 goals in a game. Six Nations had downed the Whitby Steelhawks 20-14 in its season opener back on Feb. 6. Tyler Brown, who registered a hat trick while also earning an assist versus the Monarchs, speaks highly of the Snipers’ offence. “It’s unreal to play with these guys,” he said.

Meanwhile, Dusty Hill, who earned his second consecutive starting assignment between the pipes for the Snipers, also had an impressive outing. “Dusty made some amazing saves,” Brown said. “He definitely held us in there.” 

The only concern for the Snipers from Sunday’s game was the fact the team ran into some penalty problems in the fourth quarter. Six Nations was assessed a pair of minor penalties and two major (5-minute) infractions in the final 15 minutes. The Monarchs took advantage of the Snipers’ undisciplined play scoring five powerplay goals and outscoring the Snipers 8-5 in the final quarter. 

Scott Del Zotto was yet another Six Nations player who registered three goals in the game. Johnny Powless, Vern Hill and Wes Whitlow chipped in with two goals each. Justin Martin and Daris Anderson also scored for the Snipers. 

With the victory Six Nations improved its record to 3-1, good for second place in the seven- team circuit. The Snipers trail the frontrunning Peterborough Timbermen who are off to a 4-0 start. Six Nations will have an opportunity to hand the Timbermen their first loss of the season this coming Saturday (Feb. 26). The two squads will square off in match which will be staged at the Millbrook Arena. The opening faceoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.