The St. Catharines Athletics defeated the Orangeville Northmen 12-10 in overtime on Monday night, in game six of the 2025 Minto Cup. Despite the result however, Orangeville did earn themselves a bye, and St. Catharines will compete in the semi-finals tomorrow night.
Ari Steenhuis was the OT hero for the Athletics, with Keaton Zavitz adding the insurance marker in the full-time overtime period. But it was the deadline pickups of Chuck Rawson and Lukas Nielsen who did the majority of the scoring for St. Catharines in this one, with Rawson having 3 goals and 3 assists and Nielsen scoring 4 times.
Liam Matthews had 10 points on 3 goals and 7 assists, as he was in on every Northmen goal on the evening, while Max Kruger scored 4 goals.
The Athletics improved to a perfect 3-0 against Orangeville this season.
Keep reading for our Minto Cup Game Six recap and check out the rest of our Minto coverage here.
What. A. Game.
In what was the best game of the national championship to date, the two Ontario rivals traded punches inside the Meridian Centre on Monday night. It was a game that came at you in waves and the emotion was palpable. It was a physical affair that saw St. Catharines repeatedly head to the penalty box, but their bend don’t break penalty kill held the line.
Make no mistake about it, despite the lack of goals and a 1-0 period score line the opening twenty minutes were must watch television as the two teams traded chances. Evan Constantopoulos would make several saves with a high degree of difficulty to keep his team in the lead.
On the other side of things the Athletics were playing much better offensively and driving the cage with a purpose. St. Catharines would generate many opportunities in the two-man game and on flip backs into the middle and on pop outs. Nevertheless Orangeville would hold the small lead at the first intermission.Â
Back and Forth We Go
In the second, the Athletics made a parade to the penalty box. A lack of discipline would lead to a 5-on-3 that the Northmen would capitalize on courtesy of the stick of sniper Max Kruger.
Despite that adversity, the Athletics would start to get to the big Orangeville goaltender, as New Westminster product Lukas Nielsen scored 3 goals in the period. It was striking how easily the Athletics were able to access the middle and the top of the crease. Great pace and great passing all over the floor would lead to a 6-4 St. Catharines lead going to the second break.Â
Wild Third
In the final frame the body blows continued nobody able to deliver a knockout blow. The speed of the game continued to amp up, with stars on both sides taking turns in the limelight. Chuck Rawson looked to have scored the game winner on a sweet backdoor cut while shorthanded. However, the Northmen would have an answer, as Matthews collected his TENTH point of the game and the game went to overtime.
Extra Frame
The first half of overtime saw the pace slow considerably as the teams didn’t want to give up that ever crucial first goal of the ten minute dance. Finally the damn burst as Ari Steenhuis soaked a shot up high and ran the length of the floor on a breakaway where he would beat Constantopoulos hip-high to the delight of the crowd.
It was fitting that a couple of possessions later it would be the Captain scoring yet another overtime marker to put a stamp on what would be a 12-10 victory for the hosts.Â
I said on twitter after the first that this was the best game we had seen yet and my goodness did it deliver. Lacrosse is so much better when it’s played at a high pace with great ball movement. Then you add in some animosity (that the sport seems to have lost a bit these last few years) and you have yourself an incredible game. Both these teams deserve plenty of credit and respect for this one and in the end I think the rightful team won.Â
With this win St.Catharines now goes to 3-0 on the season head-to-head with the Northmen. They were responsible for half of the Northmen losses in the regular season and now another one in the Minto Cup. The two teams both finish the round robin 2-1 along with the Adanacs, but based on the formula of (GF/GF+GA) it will be the Northmen receiving the bye into the finals. That of course means your semi-final will see the Athletics looking to avenge their round robin loss to the Adanacs in what should be a much better game the second time around.
Three Stars
#1. Chuck Rawson (STC)
At even strength, power play, and shorthanded, this guy has been nothing short of outstanding all tournament. If I’m an NLL scout (I touched on this pre-tournament), he’s right at the top of my list. You want guys that can get open off-ball and work well within an offence. This guy truly does it all.Â
#2. Max Kruger (ORG)
Kruger filled the net in this game and kept answering for Orangeville when they needed it most. He was excellent on the power play he put his great release on full display.
#3. Liam Matthews (ORG)
There were so many great performances here but I have to include a guy who notched 10 pts! Yes he factored into EVERY Northmen goal in the game. Everything the Northmen do runs through him.
Unsung Hero
Lukas Nielsen (STC)
Not really unsung at all just couldn’t quite fit him inside the three-star selection because of limited space. Was much more active than he’s been off the ball and got his outside shot going in this one to the tune of FOUR goals. Honourable mention to Keaton Zavitz as well who has been a jack of all trades for this Athletics team.Â