The newly formed Oceanside Sharks senior team earned their second consecutive Vancouver Island Lacrosse League win when they stopped the Cowichan Thunder 8-5 at Howie Meeker Arena on May 4.
The Sharks, who are now 2-1 so far in their inaugural season in the VILL, had to dig deep against the Thunder who took the early advantage.
After exchanging goals early in the first frame, the Thunder scored three unanswered goals to take a 4-1 advantage. The Sharks stopped the bleeding with five seconds left to play, with Jayden Haftner cutting the gap in half, 4-2. Tyler Smith scored the Sharks' first goal.
In the second period, the Sharks silenced the Thunder offence while notching three goals in a row to take the lead 5-4. Captain Rick Popplestone led the offence as he found the back of the net twice, with Willem Whitehead scoring a goal.
The Sharks continued to take control, scoring two successive goals, netted by Whitehead and Branden Farrell, to extend their lead to 7-4. The Thunder were able to score on the power play to make it 7-5 but Farrell put the game out of reach with another goal late in the frame.
The Sharks were outshot 40-35. Goalie Jordan Day earned the win goal with 35 saves.
This week, the Sharks hit the road and take on the River Rats at the Cowichan Community Centre on Saturday, May 10 at 7 p.m. They will be back at home at Howie Meeker Arena on Wednesday, May 14 to host the Sun Devils at 7:30 p.m.
