Cannons unable to keep up
The Baltimore Bayhawks' high-powered offense proved to be too much for the Boston Cannons to handle last night in a matchup of Major League Lacrosse's top two teams at Nickerson Field.
The Bayhawks (8-0), playing most of the game without the league's top faceoff man, Paul Cantabene, exploded in the third quarter with 9 points to win, 20-17, and extend their league-record regular-season winning streak to 10 games.
''Every win's a great win," said Baltimore's player/coach Gary Gait. ''It was just a great team effort."
Cannons attackman Mark Millon, facing his former team for the first time since being traded to Boston in the offseason, was held to just one goal by Baltimore rookie defenseman Brodie Merrill. The goal was his 282d point, most in league history.
The Bayhawks burst out of the gate with four quick goals, but lost Cantabene to an unspecified injury when he was knocked down after scoring the third goal of the game. Even after the loss of Cantabene, Baltimore still dominated faceoffs with midfielder Ben DeFelice taking the draws. The Bayhawks finished with a 23-14 advantage in that category.
The Cannons (6-2), boasting the league's No. 2 offense behind Baltimore, didn't stay subdued for long, as they ripped off a 12-4 run to go into the half on top, 12-8.
But the Bayhawks responded in the third. A 9-1 run was highlighted by 2-point goals from midfielders Jeff Sonke and Mark Frye, the second putting Baltimore ahead, 16-15. Boston's lone goal in the run, by midfielder John Christmas, came shorthanded.
Cannons attackman Conor Gill picked up his 200th point in the first quarter on an assist on Mike Battista's second consecutive 2-point goal. Gill's two goals and three assists gave him 36 points on the season. Battista finished with four goals and an assist.
Gait also had four goals and an assist for the Bayhawks, and is tied for the league lead in points (42) with teammate Tom Marechek.
Cannons goalie Chris Garrity turned aside 25 of 45 shots and made several strong saves in the second period. Trevor Tierney, whom Baltimore acquired in the Millon deal, posted 19 saves for the Bayhawks.
