(August 9, 2012)… In his quest for a third straight indoor championship, Joe Walters did everything he could to even the Major Series Lacrosse best-of-seven series against the Six Nations Chiefs.

“There was a sense of urgency because you don’t want to go down two games,” said Walters. “We are happy to even the series with a chance to go up one tonight.

The Rochester Knighthawks forward, fresh off a Champion’s Cup, scored two goals and added two assists Wednesday night in a 6-5 victory for the Brampton Excelsiors. Walters’ second goal proved to be the game-winner as it trickled in at 19:19 of the second period. Fellow American Joe Resetarits also had a big night with two goals and one assist.

The defending Mann Cup Champion Excelsiors rebounded from a 12-3 drubbing in Game One to even the series at one win apiece. In the opening game, the Excels were forced to play the afternoon game without defensemen Mike Kirk and Sandy Chapman, and goalies Anthony Cosmo and Matt Vinc. On Wednesday, Brampton was at full strength and played its patented tough, stingy defense.

“We played our brand of lacrosse. We were missing four of our guys (the first game) and it makes a difference when we had our full team,” said Walters. “Our defense is our strength and when we play our style of lacrosse we are confident we can play with anybody.”

In Game Two, Brampton had Cosmo back in goal, where he made 31 saves to stymie the potent Chiefs’ offense. After falling behind 3-2 at 6:46 of the second period on a goal by Stephan Leblanc (1+2), Brampton smothered Six Nations on defense, which allowed its offense to generate four straight goals to take a 6-3 lead. Resetarits and Walters were the catalysts and needed just 54 seconds to turn a one-goal deficit into a one-goal advantage.

Resetarits tied the contest at three on a power-play goal from Walters and Dan Dawson at 9:35. He struck again at 10:29 to give Brampton its first lead of the night at 4-3. Walters and Mike Hominuck earned assists on the shorthanded tally. John McClure’s second of the game made it 5-3, which was followed up by Walters’ goal with 41 seconds to play in the second. His shot hit Mike Poulin’s stick and dribbled across the goal line for a 6-3 lead.

Six Nations rallied in the third with goals by Rhys Duch (2+0) and Knighthawks’ Cody Jamieson (1+1), but failed to get the equalizer. Game Three is set for tonight at Six Nations at 8:00 p.m.

Both teams are full of Knighthawks as the Brampton roster features Dylan Evans, Kirk and Tyler Burton, along with Head Coach Mike Hasen and Assistant Coach Pat O’Toole. The Six Nations Chiefs also have a Knighthawks’ flavor with players Craig Point, Sid Smith, Alex “Kedoh” Hill and Travis Hill, and Equipment Manager Dave Sowden.