March 30, 2024
London Lightning 109 – 98 Montreal Toundra.
On the second night of a triple header, the Montreal Toundra welcomed the visiting London Lightning, who themselves were coming off a pair of losses to the Windsor Express and the Kokomo Bobkats. Montreal were coming off a loss themselves the night prior, to the Windsor Express after beating the Newfoundland Rogues twice consecutively before that.
While the two teams are at opposite ends of the standings, both have a lot to play for and there was an energy in the room prior to tip off that could have been cut with a knife, and that eventually began to show on the court. Perhaps it was a continuation from a previous match that still had some unsettled business, but there was a definite rift between these two teams.
See Also: Windsor Express hold on to beat Montreal at home
More and more, emotions from both teams seemed to be on the verge of boiling over, and on several occasions it looked as though fights might break out. Players took turns mouthing off to one another, and there were several instances where push literally came to shove, and Montreal and London looked like two squads that really didn’t like each other. The referees had their work cut out for them, keeping the players separated and deciding who to award free throws to.
As the game moved along, several players continue to engage in chippy play, and take digs at each other. Some nastier than others. Several times, elbows came up and met opponents in the face – while some were disguised as accidents, others were blatant. There were verbal exchanges between players and coaches, and a lot of conversation between the officials and the coaching staff as well.
On the court, the play was fast and furious, with back and fourth action that soon swayed in London’s favor. Early in the first quarter, the Lightning jumped out to a ten point lead, spurred largely by seven straight points scored by Lightning point guard Nick Garth. The Toundra showed a great deal of fight, and battled back to within two points. A few minutes into the second quarter and Montreal was able to equal the score at 31 points a piece.
Toundra guard Philip Flory played a large part of Montreal’s keeping the score close by sinking a three-pointer and earning a foul for the four point play. Flory would make several great plays throughout the night, including sinking a three-point shot late in the fourth quarter to keep Montreal’s chances alive. His 26 points lead the Toundra and his play should solid leadership qualities.
Billy White lead the Lightning by putting up 22 points while also picking off several plays for three steals on the night. White was instrumental in London’s running away with the score, which is what occurred late in the final frame.
Montreal trailed by just three points to start the third quarter, but London began to pull away and a few minutes later held a seven point lead. A trend that would continue throughout the quarter. A lot of that due to fouls committed and London’s ability from the free throw line. The physical play and rough stuff had a cost, although the officiating again left a lot to be desired.
With a minute to go in the game, London had stretched their lead to an unreachable eleven point lead, which given the lack of time remaining in the game, would prove beyond reach. Montreal had fought hard to keep the game close but in the end, had fallen to the London Lightning.
The Toundra wrapped up their triple-header weekend with three consecutive loses despite having been in all three games where they probably should have come away with better results, but that is sports. Sometimes the bounces just go the other way.
Read More:
>> Montreal Toundra lose to the Sudbury Five in home opener
>> Montreal Alliance lose heart breaker to the Scarborough Shooting Stars
>> Alliance lose to Rattlers in their final home match of the season
Back to back loses put a strain on the Toundra’s hopes at a post-season berth as they remain in last place with six games to go in the regular season. Because the number of matches each team plays is uneven, the standings are solely based on win-loss percentage. And such, the playoffs are not yet an impossibility, although the task at hand is a mammoth one.
Montreal remains at home for a third consecutive game tomorrow when they welcome the surging KW Titans to Centre Pierre-Charbonneau. Tickets are available starting at $10 from this location.
