The Toronto Nationals fought hard right until the end of the game, just falling short of the Chicago Machine at the last moment. In the final second of fourth quarter, the Machine's Brett Garber scored a two-pointer to take the game, winning 14-13. Brett Queener of the Nationals was the Bud Light MVP of the game. Just 54 seconds into the game, Toronto took an early lead following Gavin Prout's goal from a pass by Jordan Hall. Minutes later, John Grant Jr. and Dan Dawson scored 17 seconds apart to give the Nationals a 3-1 lead. A goal by Hall rounded out the quarter and the Nationals were ahead by a score of 4-2. Garber and Doug Shanahan scored one goal each for the Machine. Hall began the second quarter the same way he finished the first. He scored his second goal of the game off an assist by Dan Dawson. After Mark Steenhuis put up another point for Toronto, Chicago retaliated by scoring three goals in the last minutes of the half. The team's were tied at 6 apiece at the end of the second. The third quarter had the teams battling back and forth for the lead. Chicago opened the second half with two goals, one on an early powerplay. Kevin Huntley led the attack for the Nationals with his first goal of the game. Steenhuis and Craig Point also scored one goal each in the third, while Hall completed a hat trick with four minutes left. The score sat at a 10-10 tie heading into the final quarter of the game. Chris Rotelli of the Machine set the fourth quarter in motion with two goals within four minutes. Steenhuis wanted to pick up a hat trick of his own, and did so with a two pointer, off a rebound of his own shot, to tie the game again. With two minutes left, Hall got his fourth goal of the game, which the Nationals hoped would solidify their first win of the season. Unfortunately, their hopes were dashed after a penalty to Gavin Prout, with three seconds left, gave the Machine the opportunity for Garber's buzzer beating goal. The Nationals welcome the Chesapeake Bayhawks back to Lamport Stadium for a rematch of the May 22 home opener. The game will take place on Saturday, June 12th at 7:00 p.m.
