History of the A's

Lou Spoils Moore's Magic

LOU NICKLE STILL ATHLETICS’ NEMESIS 

BROOKLIN VETERAN SCORES WINNING GOAL IN OVERTIME 

The St. Catharines Standard 

Wednesday August 29, 1962 

Veteran defenceman Lou Nickle may not be the most polished lacrosse player in the country but when it comes to scoring goals in the clutch, few can touch him. 

Nickle made a habit of spoiling St. Catharines championship hopes for years while playing with Peterborough and the past two seasons, turned in a similarly frustrating (for the Athletics) chore with Port Credit. This season Nickle, a Toronto policeman during his working hours, turned out with Brooklin Hillcrests because of the residence rule currently in vogue in Ontario lacrosse, but despite the switch in uniforms proved last night that he hasn’t lost the old touch. 

Big Goal 

It was the bulky Lou who galloped around the right side of the St. Catharines defence late in the first overtime period, then fired a low overhand shot that beat Athletic goaltender Bob McCready cleanly and gave the Hillcrests a 9 – 8 decision in the fourth game of the Ontario Lacrosse Association senior semi-finals. 

The win moved Brooklin into a commanding three games to one lead in the best-of-seven series and forces the Athletics to win tonight in the fifth game in Brooklin or hang up their sticks for the season. 

If the A’s do win, the sixth game will be played at Haig Bowl Friday night. 

Uphill All The Way 

The Athletics found in their regret last night that they simply couldn’t travel uphill indefinitely. 

Three times in the first period they trailed by two goals but in each occasion came back to tie the score and entered the second event even at 4 – 4. 

Brooklin counted another pair early in the second before Gary Carr sliced the margin back to 6 – 5 at the intermission. 

It was the same story in the third. The Hillcrests again moved out in front by two but the Athletics fought back and sent the game into overtime on two goals within 55 seconds by bullet-shooting Gary Moore. 

Took Lead 

The A’s held their first lead of the game at 4:18 of the overtime period when Moore passed to Doug Smith deep in the corner to the left of the Brooklin goal and Smith ducked his way out in front to beat the steady Pat Baker. 

However the strain of continually coming from behind took its toll on the Athletics after the teams had switched ends after five minutes of the bonus period. Larry Ferguson counted his third of the night at 6:35 and less than two minutes later Nickel burst in with the game-winner. 

The Hillcrest victory partially obscured the tremendous game turned in by St. Catharines magician with the stick Gary Moore. Moore figured in six of the eight Athletic goals, scoring four himself and assisting on two others. Smith added two goals while Barney Welch and Carr had singles. 

For Brooklin, Glen Lotton and Ferguson scored three each, Don Vipond, Charlie Grandy and Nickle one apiece. 

Handicapped Goalie 

Although he made many fine saves, St. Catharines goaltender Bob (Buff) McCready was operating with a noticeable handicap following a late-season injury to his right ankle. The Hillcrests continually took advantage of the damaged foot and both the tying and winning goals in overtime were scored on his “weak” side. He was also far less agile in fielding loose balls than usual when in top physical shape. 

Baker on the other hand in the Brooklin nets had a sensational night. His particular victim was Ted Howe who was beaten from close range on at least four occasions. 

The largest crowd of the summer, just under 600 paid, watched the exceptionally well-played game. 

Brooklin: goal, Baker; defence, Nickle, Grandy, Vipond; forwards, G. Lotton, Ferguson, Barrie, Bruce, K. Lotton, Craggs. 

St. Catharines Athletics: goal, McCready; defence, Hind, Smith, Timlock, Carr, Olson; forwards, Bunston, Welch, Allan, Thomson, Moore, Berge, Howe. 

First Period

Penalty: K. Lotton (high sticking) 19:19

Second Period

Penalties: Howe (high sticking) 4:22, Smith (high sticking) 8:50, Vipond (misconduct) 15:20

Third Period

Penalties: Howe and Craggs (roughing) 1:28, Ferguson (high sticking) 10:30, Berge (high sticking) 13:57, Grandy (charging) 14:13, Carr (slashing) 19:36

Overtime

Penalties: Vipond (misconduct) 2:43; Vipond (match penalty) 6:05

RETURN