(Rochester, July 26)… Rochester Knighthawks defenseman Marshall Abrams has his Six Nations Arrows team one win away from the Ontario Finals after defeating the Whitby Warriors 9-6 Sunday night. The Arrows have a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven Ontario Junior "A" Semifinal.

“It has been a few years since we have been there,” said Head Coach Marshall Abrams about reaching the Ontario Finals. “It has been our goal since the beginning of the season. It just took the boys awhile to learn to work together to get there.”

Six Nations is now one win away from the Finals after two wins this weekend. The Arrows defeated Whitby 9-5 on Saturday to set up the home win on Sunday. Abrams is joined on the bench by Knighthawks Assistant Coach Jason Johnson.

Rochester Knighthawks transition man Peter Jacobs, who missed Game 1, struck for three goals and four assists in the past two games. OLA Junior “A” Rookie of the Year Johnny Powless also connected for seven points in the two victories on three goals and four assists.

“‘Pistol’ Pete (Jacobs) is playing well right now. He is the leader on the floor,” said Abrams. “He initiates everything for us and is always looking for transition. He is a smart player and is good off ball.”

Jacobs collected a goal and an assist in the third quarter of Game 2 to break open a 5-4 Six Nations lead. The Arrows scored four of the quarter’s five goals to cruise to a 9-5 win. Powless also chipped in one goal and one assist as he set up the team’s eighth goal and notched the ninth.

“He has been one of our best players all season long,” said Abrams. “He is getting a lot of shots but still has to hit his mark.”

Game 3 was also a tight game in the third quarter as Whitby rallied to even the game at six. The Arrows, however, responded with the game’s final three goals for a 9-6 victory at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena. Brendan Bomberry, Powless and Alex Kedoh Hill provided the offense. Goalie Randy Johnson improved to 6-2 in the postseason and lowered his goal-against average to 6.72.

“We have been getting good play out of everyone,” said Abrams. “It has been a team effort.

“Winning Game 4 will not be easy. Whitby has a really good team with a lot of guys that will be in the NLL one day… as do we,” he added.

Game 4 is set for Tuesday, July 27th at 8:00 p.m. in Whitby. The winner will battle the winner of the Orangeville-Burlington series. Orangeville leads the series 3-0.

ONTARIO LACROSSE ASSOCIATION
SEMIFINALS
(2) Six Nations Arrows leads (3) Whitby Warriors, 3-0
Game 1  Whitby 6, Six Nations 8
Game 2  Six Nations 9, Whitby 5
Game 3  Whitby 6, Six Nations 9
Game 4  Six Nations at Whitby, Iroquois Park, Tues. July 27, 8PM
Game 5  Whitby at Six Nations, Iroquois Lacrosse Arena, Wed. July 28, 8PM*
Game 6  Six Nations at Whitby, Iroquois Park, Fri. July 30, 8PM*
Game 7  Whitby at Six Nations, Iroquois Lacrosse Arena, Sat. July 31, 7PM*
* if necessary
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