Oakdale, NY- Ryan Campbell (Brampton, Ontario) notched his 100th career goal as he netted three tallies and dished off three assists to lead the Golden Lions to a 10-8 victory over the Merrimack Warriors on April 26th in a NE10-ECC match-up. The Golden Lions improve to 6-4 on the season as the Warriors drop to 5-7.

The game was a battle from the beginning as lead teetered back and forth. Nick Cotter (Whitby, Ontario) was the first to strike for Dowling as he converted a pass from John McClure (Brampton, Ontario) to open scoring during an extra man opportunity. The Warriors evened the scored with Kyle Beaudoin's first of two goals on the game just three minutes in. The Golden Lions snapped back as Campbell dished off two assists for McClure and CJ Leary (Bay Shore, NY) to once again regain the lead, but Merrimack fired back with Taylor Robarts and Andy Teeling each scoring for a 3-3 deadlock with two minutes remaining in the first. Each team would strike once more before the buzzer for a 4-4 knot heading into second quarter play.

Greg Rogowski stole the first Warrior lead as he took the ball to the cage for a solo tally after seven minutes of scoreless play. Rogowski struck again in with three minutes left in the half to give Merrimack a 6-4 edge, but Kyle O'Brien (Whitby, Ontario) kicked things up a notch. He fired one to the back of the net and fed a quick pass to Campbell after a DC timeout for a buzzer beater tally to once again equalize the score, this time at 6-6.

The teams played to an impasse in the third, holding each other scoreless.

It was Merrimack who finally netted the first goal in the second half with Teeling finding the net off a pass from Rogowski just 20 second into fourth quarter play. Campbell retaliated a minute later to even out at 7 all, but again the Warriors regained the lead on Beaudion's solo rocket. Merrimack received a chance to take a two point lead with Dowling penalty with just over six minutes left in the game. Mark Webber blasted a shot hoping to grab the man-up tally, but Frank Melhus (Levittown, NY) diminished their chance with a huge save to hand the ball back to the Dowling offense. O'Brien fought his way past the Warrior defense for his second goal on the night and tied the game for sixth, and last, time. Kevin Rimmer (Ronkonkoma, NY) took Dowling's final lead with just three and half minutes remaining and Campbell sealed the win as he notched his 100th career goal.

The Warriors were led by Rogowski and Beaudion who each netted two goals and added two helpers a piece while Teeling finished with 3 nets. Eric Tompkins made 10 saves on the night.

In addition to Campbell's six points, O'Brien finished with three (2 goals and 2 assists) and Cotter pitched in with two goals as well. Melhus made 12 stops for the Golden Lions, while McClure led all players with 7 ground balls and went 7-for-11 on face-offs. Greg Graziano (East Setauket, NY) had an impressive day facing off, winning six of his nine attempts.

2007-04-27