CHAGRIN FALLS, Ohio -- Late in the game it was all-Tigers, as Rocky River fell to Chagrin Falls, 8-5, in closing out its regular season Tuesday evening.

The host Tigers scored five of the last six goals of the contest in sending the Pirates to just their second loss since March 27. Rocky River and Chagrin Falls went into the fourth quarter tied, 4-4. The Tigers outshot the Pirates, 12-6, in the final frame, and the Maroon & White were held scoreless until the final minute.

For the game, Chagrin outshot River, 34-26, and put 18 shots on goal to the Pirates' 15. Rocky River (12-4) was a plus-7 in turnovers (13 to 20), but the Buccaneers were bested on 26-of-47 ground balls. The Tigers' eight goals marked the most by a River foe since April 17 (eight by Columbus St. Francis).

Rocky River's goals were produced by Hayden Weaver (two), Nathan Robertson (two), and Will Bennett. Weaver and Bennett also tallied one assist each. Robertson's second goal of the night -- at the 0:47-mark of the fourth -- marked his 30th point of the season (16 goals, 14 assists).

The Pirates were tagged with all of the game's five penalties. Chagrin went 1-for-5 on extra-man opportunities, and River has now allowed a man-up goal in seven straight games. For the season, the Pirates have been outscored, 23-9, in extra-man situations.

Charlie Hudson (ground ball, four caused turnovers) and Robby Lang (3 GB, 3 CT) combined to force seven spills in  the River backfield. Reece Rochester was credited with 10 saves. The Pirates have now been on the plus side of the turnover exchange in six straight games since being a combined minus-18 against Olmsted Falls and Columbus Watterson in late-April.

Tuesday's setback snapped a five-game win streak that saw the River Raiders outscore foes, 51-28.

The Pirates are scheduled to take on Oregon Clay in the D-II Region 5 brackets of the OHSAA playoffs on Monday (6 p.m., Rocky River Stadium).



by Skip Snow

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