The Saint John Rapids ground out a 12–10 victory over the Sackville Sportwheels Wolves in the East Coast Junior Lacrosse League Monday.
After falling behind early, Saint John quickly found its footing thanks to a spark from Ben Rooney, who helped shift the momentum with a key goal in the opening period. Drew Mason followed shortly after, continuing what would be a standout performance as both a scorer and playmaker, while Chase Aldridge added another to bring the Rapids level before the break.
From there, Saint John’s offence leaned into a steady rhythm. Mason continued to drive play in the second period, setting up teammates and finding space, while Aldridge and Ian Cassie each stepped up with timely contributions to keep the Rapids even as the teams traded chances.
In the third period, Saint John’s top scorers took over.
Felix Harding gave the Rapids an early lift in the final frame, finishing one of several strong offensive sequences. Rooney struck again soon after, adding to his solid opener and helping Saint John push ahead. As the pace of the game picked up, Harding continued to make his presence felt, using his speed and positioning to create opportunities and eventually complete his hat trick late in the game.
Rooney also capped off a multi-goal performance, consistently finding space in the offensive end and capitalizing on key chances.
The decisive moment came midway through the third period when Ben Alchorn buried what would stand as the game-winning goal, finishing off a crucial surge for the Rapids. From there, Saint John stayed composed, with their core players continuing to generate pressure and manage the game down the stretch.
Throughout the opener, Drew Mason remained a central figure in the Rapids’ success, contributing across the board and playing a role in several key scoring plays.
Altogether, it was a full team effort powered by strong individual performances and timely offence. The Rapids showed they can respond under pressure and rely on multiple scoring threats.
Lacrosse fans in Saint John can look forward to an exciting and competitive season.
Final Score: Saint John Rapids 12, Sackville Sportwheels Wolves 10
