(August 6, 2012)... Rochester Knighthawks forward Johnny Powless returned to the Six Nations Arrows just in time to deny the Orangeville Northmen a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. Powless, who missed the team’s last five games, powered the Arrows to an 11-4 victory in Game Three of the Ontario Lacrosse Association Finals. (Photos by Ward Laforme Jr.)

“Powless was a huge lift for us tonight,” said Arrows Head Coach Marshall Abrams. “His play on the left side was awesome.”

The 19-year-old NLL star led Six Nations with two goals and five assists in front of the home crowd at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena. Randy Staats also enjoyed the return of the Powless, as he scored three times and assisted on two goals. They finished first and second on the team in points during the regular season, and were teammates in Finland for the Iroquois Nationals at the World Lacrosse Championships.

“It felt good to be playing with the boys again,” said Powless.

In his first game in nearly two weeks, Powless needed only 1:05 to score his first playoff goal since July 24th to tie the contest at 1-1. The Arrows would score the next four goals to take a 5-1 lead after the first period. Powless set up two of those goals, connecting with Seth Oakes’ goal at 2:40 and Staats at 16:37.

In the second, Powless hooked up with his favorite target again, assisting on Staats’ third goal of the contest at 3:47 for a 6-2 advantage. Powless then assisted on the next two Six Nations’ goals and the lead was up to 8-3. For good measure, he netted his second goal of the game at 11:36 with Staats and Rodd Squire assisting, and it was 9-3.

The Arrows closed out the second in front 10-3. The third period featured only one goal each to give Six Nations its first win of the series. Warren Hill earned the win in goal with 25 saves in 26 minutes, while Don Alton played the final 33 minutes and made 23 stops. Noble (2+1) and Jordan Critch (1+2) led the Northmen with three points each. Game Four is set for Wednesday, August 8th at 8:00 p.m. in Orangeville.

Powless is bidding to win a second Championship after capturing the Champion’s Cup with the Knighthawks in May. He finished his first season of pro lacrosse as an All-Rookie Team selection.