Stingy Defense Shines in Latest Win for Steelhawks

(Photo courtesy of Jay Saucier)

On Saturday February 14, the Whitby Steelhawks stretched their winning streak to an impressive six games, the latest a 20-8 final over the Oshawa Outlaws at Children’s Arena. Over the course of those wins they have surrendered an average of only 8.5 goals per game. The duo of Ryan Schuetzkowski and Ethan Harwood have been alternating starts to give the team a strong goaltender tandem.

The squad welcomed Landen Sinfield to the line-up for his first start and he rose to the occasion with a solid four goal and four assist performance. Sinfield has played in three games this season for the Philadelphia Wings in the National Lacrosse League (NLL) and has registered one goal and one assist. Sinfield was also a member of the 2025 Presidents Cup champion Snake Island Muskies. Meanwhile, Steelhawk defender Ben Kromer was recently added to the active roster for the NLL Wings.

The teams were knotted at 3-3 after the opening frame and fans settled in for what they hoped would be a tight contest.

It was all Steelhawks in the second quarter, however, as they outscored Oshawa by a count of 6-0. Schuetzkowski was solid between the pipes and Sinfield scored three of his four goals in that 15-minute frame, just narrowly missing a natural hattrick. As the teams headed to the intermission, Whitby had a commanding 9-3 lead.

“Between Ryan and Ethan, we have had great goaltending all season. The defense was solid in Saturday’s game and Ryan (Degerdon) and I are hearing more chatter from them as a unit both on the floor and on the bench,” said Assistant Coach, Brad Reed.

“With this six-game win streak, it is clear that the rhythm is growing, and our goal is to roll into the playoffs with this same level of play,” added Reed.

(Photo courtesy of Jay Saucier)

The third quarter was similar to the first in that the teams were more evenly matched.  The Steelhawks won that quarter by a score of 4-3 as the teams traded goals. With one quarter remaining, Whitby had maintained a 13-6 lead and appeared to be in control of the contest.

It was more of the same for Whitby in the final frame. They put up two separate unanswered runs of three and four goals, respectively, to cruise to a 20-8 win and improve their record of 7-3 with only four games remaining in the regular season.

In addition to Sinfield’s four goals, Parker Pipher rifled home five, Liam Osborne added three and singles went to Jordan Storous, Owen Orpana, Trent Boyd, Nate Woods, Jonah Kerr, Keagan Croley, Tyler Goodchild, and Scott Reed.

Next up the Steelhawks play the Peterborough Timbermen (6-4) on Saturday February 21 at 1 pm at Children’s Arena . These teams met in the opening weekend when Peterborough won 15-9.