Thunderbirds eliminate Warriors from NLL playoffs with 10-7 road win

VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Warriors were ahead 7-1 at halftime and looked to have their National Lacrosse League single-elimination playoff game under control on Friday.

But the eighth-seeded Halifax Thunderbirds scored nine unanswered goals in the second half and eliminated the regular-season champions from the post-season picture with a 10-7 victory.

Jason Knox had four goals and two assists, Clarke Petterson had two goals and three assists, and the Thunderbirds punched their ticket to the best-of-three semifinals against the winner of Saturday’s showdown between the Georgia Swarm and Buffalo Bandits.

Mike Robinson scored twice, Cody Jamieson and Jake Withers each had a goal and two assists, and Casey Wilson, Brendan Bomberry and Ryan Terefenko each chipped in with two assists for the Thunderbirds. Netminder Warren Hill made 36 saves for the winners.