The Olds Stingers overcame a 4-0 first period deficit to beat the Rockyview Silvertips 9-8 in Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League Junior B Tier III action Sunday at the Olds Sportsplex.
Connor O'Neill netted the game winner at 16:52 of the third period after a steady sustained attack that saw the Stingers claw back from 7-3 deficit after 40 minutes of play. The comeback started shortly after David Burns received a checking from behind major penalty in the third period. The Stingers scored twice on the ensuing power play to take the lead 8-7, (Braden Scriven and Jordan Lamboo), before O'Neill capped off the game with the winner.
Stingers coach Mike Bouma said the team responded well in the third period, scoring six goals.
“They managed to get refocused and to play a solid third period,” he said, noting that in general he thought that while the team came out of the gate well, a couple of quick goals by the Silvertips put the Stingers on their heels a bit. “They needed to settle the game down. Unfortunately, we let them get a couple of quick goals to start with, but overall I think the boys identified some of the weaknesses they had and were very comfortable in the third period to put all that together and come back very strong.”
Earlier in the week on Thursday, the Sting defeated the Strathmore Venom 8-5 in Strathmore. Bouma said that the players identified weaknesses and rectified them to claim victory.
“They had a good development game there, where they identified some of their minor mistakes. They played a solid game in Strathmore and … they deserved to win,” he said.
Bouma said the key for the players is to keep developing their skills and correcting mistakes.
“As long as we keep doing that, we'll have a good solid game. It shows that the boys are beginning to focus and (understand) some of the fundamental plays that are required … they've got some very good skill sets there and it's starting to come together for them.”
The Stingers' next contest is a rematch with the Calgary Wranglers at the Brentwood Sportsplex on Saturday. The last time the two teams tangled in Olds on May 15, the Wranglers came out on top 14-6.
