Short-staffed Chiefs drop home opener

There is the reason why Six Nations Pro-Fit Chiefs head coach Rich Kilgour isn't a big fan of the early start to the Major Series Lacrosse season.
With more than a handful of regulars out of the lineup because they are still playing for the National Lacrosse League championship, or were given time to recover after being eliminated this past weekend, the Chiefs dropped an 11-5 decision to the Kitchener-Waterloo Kodiaks in front of over 300 fans at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena Tuesday night.
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"It's always tough the first couple of weeks," coach Kilgour said before the game. "It's something we've just learned to deal with."
Despite having three call ups from the junior A Arrows and three senior B Rivermen in the lineup, the patch-work Chiefs put up a great fight before the Kodiaks ran away with the game during a six-goal third period outburst.
Randy Staats led the way offensively for the Chiefs scoring two of his three goals in the first period, while Wayne VanEvery and newcomer Brandon Goodwin added singles.
Joey Cupido led the Kodiaks with three goals, while Mike Melnychenko had a pair. Corey Fowler, Jordan Dance, Tom Masterson, Jordan Critch, Ryan Benesch, Luke Laszkiewicz and Jamie Batson added one goal each.
Angus Goodleaf took the loss between the Chiefs pipes, making 34 saves. Dave Diruscio made 46 stops to earn the win.
The same two teams go back at it Sunday in Kitchener at 6pm, before the Chiefs return to the ILA on June 2 at 8pm, when they host the Oakville Rock.