Nitros in nail-biting win

By Gavin Staindl
THE Nitros have slammed home four late goals to snatch a 7-6 victory from the luckless Squishees at Cardinia Life last Thursday night.
The Squishees led at every break and headed into the emotional final third with a comfortable 6-3 lead, but gave up the lead in the final minute when Jake Vanderzwart nailed a tight running shot from the right side – a shot that has become his trademark.
Demonstrating the emotion of the match was Nitros’ Ben Looby (one goal, two assists) who snapped his stick after he slammed it in anger across the goal bar.
Arguably the best teams in the competition, the Nitros and Squishees had plenty to play for.
The Nitros needed a win to stay a game ahead in first while the Squishees needed the win to continue their comeback to make finals.
Squishees captain Ben Monckton (one goal, three assists) was tagged heavily all day and had little space in which to find shooting lanes.
Quickly improving Squishees forward Darren Stevens had his best game of his two-year career as he slotted home four goals for the Squishees, but could not manage any in the final third. In another tight match, the Titans have kept their finals hopes alive after Ash Johnson scored the winning breakaway goal with three seconds left against the Royals.
The game had been deadlocked at 2-2 throughout most of the match and with the Royals surging in the forward line to score the winner, Titans forward Ash Johnson (two goals) intercepted a pass and shot over a diving goalkeeper as the clock ticked down to full time.
The win was crucial for the Titans who now stay in the hunt for a top four finish.