Clarington Green Gaels back on track

MARKHAM -- How's that for bouncing back?

Coming off their first loss of the Ontario Lacrosse Association Jr. B league season, the Clarington Green Gaels took their frustration out on the Markham Ironheads Tuesday night, scoring early and often in a 21-5 pounding.

The Gaels scored eight times in the first period, and led 10-0 just 1:20 into the second period before Markham managed to beat goalie Zack Higgins twice within 30 seconds just over a minute later.

But soon after, the Green Gaels took over again and outscored Markham 11-2 over the balance of the game, thus allowing them to head into tonight's regular season finale against Hunstville (8 p.m. Garnet Rickard Rec Complex) on a high note.

Leading the way offensively for the Green Gaels, who improved to 18-1 with the victory, were Zach Palmer with eight points, all assists and Ryan Serville, also with eight points including a pair of goals.

Mike McCusker and Lucas Perri had huge nights with four goals and an assist each, while other goals come from Connor Latimer with three, Shayne Jackson with two, Jordan Saunderson, John Lafontaine, Emerson Clark, Chris Cudmore, Curtis Knight and Chad Tutton.

After allowing only five goals Tuesday, the Gaels enter tonight's game having surrendered just 68 all campaign, and will no doubt obliterate the single-season record of 95. As impressive as that mark is, they also enter the game with 243 goals scored, well ahead of any other team in the league this season, with plenty of the credit directed towards Serville, who leads the league in scoring with 38-51-89 totals in 18 games, Palmer, who is third with 28-56-4 numbers in 16 games, and Curtis Knight, the league's fifth-leading scoring with 71 points, including 34 goals.

The Jr. B all-star game will be held in Windsor Saturday, with Serville, Palmer and Higgins slated to represent the Green Gaels.