Lakers down Thunder 9-5 and can win Mann Cup tonight

The Peterborough Lakers are one win away from capturing the 2012 Mann Cup championship.

After trailing two games to none, the Lakers have bounced back, winning three straight and defeating the Langley Thunder 9-5 in game five and can now close out the series on Saturday night.

Langley Thunder came out strong and built an early 4-0 lead but tables would turn in the second as the Lakers scored seven straight goals and held Langley scoreless, taking a 7-4 lead into the final frame.

Mike Thompson came up big again in the Lakers net, allowing only one goal against in the final two periods.

“That is kind of the perfect picture as to who we really are,” said Thompson. “We don’t usually do things the easy way and we had a tough first period but we made some adjustments and came out strong offensively and defensively."

Langley had three goals called back in the crease and looked frustrated on offense but the team isn’t hanging their heads in defeat, they know they can play better.

“We had a great start tonight but we let a little bit of the process slip,” said Langley coach Darcy Rhodes. “But there is nothing that is going to stop this team. We are going to come out firing, guns a blazing tomorrow and we’re all pretty excited about it.”

The Lakers know Langley will come out and play their best tonight, as they look to force a possible game seven.

“It was a reality check being down four nothing in the first,” said Lakers defender Andrew Suitor.  “I think our offence were able to pick it up and our defense found another gear we haven’t found all series.”

The Lakers can close out the series Saturday night and capture another Mann Cup.

“I think you are going to see the best out of both teams come tomorrow (Saturday),” said Suitor. “I have all the confidence that we can come out on top and hopefully end this thing tomorrow but by no means is it going to be a 15-4 type game and if were not ready they are going to come in here and we’ll have to play Sunday.” 

Before the game both head coaches were suspended for the remainder of the series for their conduct with Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sports (CCES) doping officials.

CCES present games two and four, administering random drug tests.

Both teams failed to fully co-operate with the CCES officials and didn't allow the officials direct access to their change-rooms and players.

Rod Jensen and Jamie Batley were suspended for the remaining three games of the series but have both written a letter of appeal.

This is the first time drug testing has taken place at the Mann Cup and the CLA who handed down the three game suspension have to be accountable for the mistakes. The CLA should have done a better job educating the teams on the proper protocol and how to handle the drug officials. 

Lakers even series with Thunder and win game four 9-8

The Peterborough Lakers have come back from a two nothing deficit to even the Mann Cup series at two games apiece, after squeaking out a 9-8 victory over Langley Thunder in game four.

The Lakers have stepped up their play in front of goaltender Mike Thompson who came in to relieve Tyler Carlson early in game three.

“Mikey came in and helped turn things around for us in game three,” said Lakers forward Mark Steenhuis. “He’s saving the majority of them and has helped us get in a groove. We made a few adjustments on defensive end, as far as where we want to push our opponents on the floor, its working right now but I think we can still clean it up and have some more success.”

Discipline has been a problem for the Lakers throughout the series. They have cleaned up their play and taken fewer penalties but the Thunder power play was perfect, going three for three in game four. Steenhuis admits his team needs to stay out of the box.

“We dug a bit of a grave with the penalties,” said Steenhuis. “It has been tough this whole series trying to get to know what the refs are going to call and not call.”

Langley head coach Rod Jensen thought his team lacked the consistent effort needed to be successful; he credited the Lakers defence for stepping up.

“We can’t have 10 or 12 unforced errors offensively against a team like this,” said Jensen. “We have to limit their second chances and anticipate where the ball is going. When they shoot we can’t spectate. We need to find the ball and go get it like a pack of wolves.”

Langley gave up a power play opportunity early on, when they called Lakers goalie Mike Thompson for illegal equipment. The call backfired, Thompson was legal and Langley were assessed a delay of the game penlalty.

 “I don’t like to call goalies,” said Jensen. “But our goalie was convinced his shoulder pads were too big.”

The Lakers have played better in their own end holding Langley under 10 goals in both game three and four victories.

“For whatever reason we thought we had to adapt and play a different system that we played all playoffs,” said Lakes assistant captain Tracey Kelusky. “Bat’s addressed that and we went back to the basic defence we have been playing all playoffs.”

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John Grant Jr moved into second place all-time in Mann Cup scoring passing CLA Hal of Famer Geordie Dean (67-94-161).  Grant has 71 goals and 93 assists for 164 points. He trails John Tavares  who is a sitting a point shy of 200 with 91 goals and 81 assists. 

Jesse Thomas on Off The Crossbar Team Radio 1410

Sept 11/2012 - Click here to check out the podcast of Jesse in conversation with Teddy Jenner from Off The Crossbar, discussing the 2012 Mann Cup between the Langley Thunder and Peterborough Lakers (22:30 minute mark of the program).

Lakers claw their way back into Mann Cup

The Peterborough Lakers trailed early in game three but were able to claw their way back into the series with 14-10 win over the Langley Thunder.

The Thunder still hold a two games-to-one series lead but for the Lakers this was the first time this series they played a full sixty minutes of lacrosse.

“I think our team defense stepped up huge tonight,” said Lakers GM and coach Jamie Batley. “Mike Thompson played great coming in for relief of Carlson.”

Tyler Carlson was chased from the game early in the first period and struggled to find an answer for the high-powered Langley offence.

The Lakers defense hadn’t looked sharp up until game three and were guilty of playing undisciplined lacrosse and seemed to step up their game in front of Thompson

“We didn’t let them go on their late game run,” said Batley. “We really dug down in the third period and went on a run of our own and I think we worked harder than them (Langley) tonight.”

The Lakers found themselves down 4-3 after the first period but regrouped and played much more disciplined lacrosse and outscored Langley 11-6 in the final two periods.

“I thought the Lakers elevated their game tonight,” said Langley head coach Rod Jensen. “Give credit to Batley. He must have really got his guys geared up in between periods.”

Penalty trouble and undisciplined play hurt the Lakers in the first period but they were able to turn a page in the second period and outworked the Thunder.

“I thought we stepped up and did the things we were talking about,” said Lakers defender Brad Self. “It’s one thing to talk about the things we want to do, like play a complete team game, stay disciplined and keep of the refs but I thought our defense stepped it up tonight and our faceoff team was unbelievable.”

Langley thought they had the Lakers early in the game but got away from doing the things that have made them successful.

“We had them early in the third but the biggest thing for us is to stay positive and stay focused,” said Langley forward Joel McCready. “Their transition has hurt us and we need to get back a lot quicker and cut of their bench.”

Jordan MacInstosh was back in the line-up for game three after being a healthy scratch in game two. He won many key face-offs and contributed offensively adding three goals and was named the player of the game.

Athan Iannucci has been unstoppable this series scoring 4 goals and was named the Thunder player of the game.

Langley down Lakers 15-14 in overtime

The Lakers held the lead throughout the game but couldn’t finish off Langley, who hung on and tied the game late, forcing overtime and winning a close one, 15-14.

The Thunder have done the unthinkable and beaten the Lakers twice and now hold a convincing two-nothing series lead.

“I don’t think we played a full sixty minutes defensively,” said Lakers defensive head coach Bob Keast. “We didn’t do our job, we have to tighten up and play a better team offense and when we do that we are really hard to beat.”

The Lakers faced two very good offenses in Six Nations and Brooklin, but Langley can move the ball around and also have the speed to go-on-one.

“We have a pretty you group and fresh legs,” said Jensen. “One of the things we had this year that I don’t think any other of the teams in the west have was depth.”

The Lakers offense have been scoring and Lakers head coach Jamie Batley admits his defense have to make some stops.

 “We hit 14 tonight,” said Batley. “The goals are coming for us. Were finding a way a to score on this goalie but we have to find away to stop them from scoring.” 

Some untimely penalties hurt the Lakers and the key to game three could be staying out of the box.

“We were undisciplined,” said Batley “Not only do they get a power play but now guys have to scramble and rag the ball, and other guys have to play the short man, it takes away from your longevity.”

Garret Billings was quiet early in the game but stepped it up late for Langley, factoring in on eight of the last nine goals to help his team come from behind and steal game two.

“I think we were down three times in that games and we managed to come back and tie it up,” said Billings, who credits his team and his coach’s attitude for the team’s great composure.  “I never get to excited one way or the other and Lewis and Iannucci are like that as well and I think it filters down through the rest of the team and its nice to know we are able to come back from a couple of goals and put balls in the net.”

Billings was a dual threat firing home 3 goals and adding seven helpers for 10 pts and was named Langley’s MVP but he is quick to credit his teammates.

After being held scoreless in game one, Cory Vitrelli found the back of the net four times and was named the Lakers MVP.

John Grant was injured late in the game, when it appeared a passing player clipped him in the knee. He had to be taken to the hospital and there is no word on his condition at the moment.

The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sports (CCES) were on hand for game two taking random samples for both teams. MSL commissioner Jim Brady couldn’t confirm if they were testing for performance enhancing drugs or recreational drugs as well. This was the first time players have been tested at the Mann Cup.

Let the head games begin as both teams wore white jerseys for the warm-up in game two. Langley wore black in game one and it was their turn to be the home team.

Mann Cup: Langley Thunder take game one 13-12

The Langley Thunder beat the hometown Peterborough Lakers 13-12 in game one of the 2012 National Mann Cup lacrosse championship.

“I didn’t really know what to expect coming into game one, ” said Langley coach Rod Jensen. “We didn’t play a perfect game but we did enough good things to make it happen.”

The Lakers John Grant was fired up in the first period, firing a hat trick from beyond the shooters circle and lifting his team to a 5-2 lead after one.

The Lakers came out flat in the second period and the first seven minutes the Thunder struck 5 goals in seven minutes, to take 6-5 lead. The Memorial Centre was eerily quiet and the Lakers had to regroup down 8-6 after two.

The Lakers managed to salvage things in the third and Grant tied things at ten but Langley would get two back of their own.

The Lakers would get their chances, but the bounces weren’t going their way.

Cory Vitarelli had some shots point blank but was held scoreless, by Langley goalie Brodie MacDonald’s right hand.

MacDonald, who won a Minto Cup with Jensen in Coquitlam in 2010, is still looking for experience.

“I haven’t got too much time in the NLL, so I haven’t faced many of those shooters,” said MacDonald, who rebounded well after his team got down early. “As a goalie you always want some back but you have to forget about the last goal and go for the next one.”

The Lakers managed to salvage things in the third. Shawn Evans scored two big goals late and the Lakers tied things 10-10 but Langley answered back quick, never loosing the lead.

“We thought we had the Mann Cup won in the first period,” said Lakers assistant captain Kyle Sorrensen. “We stopped playing for 20 minutes and we tried to crawl back but it was little too late.”

The Lakers look like machine when their on but tonight things looked a little loose.

 “We have to make a couple adjustments,” said Lakers GM and head coach Jamie Batley. “The guys already know what they are going to do. Defensively our guys need to trust each other and perhaps with the time off we stopped communicating.”

Langley forward Athan Iannucci thinks his team are coming together at the right time.

 “We have spent a lot of hours together off the floor and I think the hallmark of a good offence, is to be in sync and on the same wavelength and were fortunate to be there or as close as we can be right now.”

Everything is different on the road. Langley had a lot to get used to tonight. “We have never played on a floor with the benches opposite sides like this before,” said Iannucci. “We had to adapt, this is a loud arena, we couldn’t hear ourselves that well.”

Langley thought they had to be perfect to win. They didn’t. The last team from the West to win game one in the east was the Victoria Shamrocks defeating the Peterborough Lakers in game one of the 20004 Mann Cup but the Lakers would get the last laugh winning the series in six games.

Click here for game stats

Trent Lacrosse Kick-off sixth season

Trent Excalibur Men’s Lacrosse Team Kick-off Sixth Season.

Friday, September 7th, 2012

Trent and the Canadian University Field Lacrosse Association (CUFLA) begin the season, this Saturday at Queen’s University, for the Opening Showcase. Trent will play their longtime rival, the McGill Red Men at 2 PM. The event will bring all of the eastern teams to faceoff at one location.

Trent will return home Sunday to host the 2011 CUFLA champion Bishop Gaiters, in what many are calling the breakfast battle. As game time is set for 9:30 AM. Come bright and early to Trent’s Justin Chiu Stadium.

“Beginning the weekend against the top two teams from last year is big,” said Trent head coach Geoff McKinley. Trent is 5-3 all time versus McGill, but narrowly lost to them in last year’s home opener. “It came down to a last play,” said McKinley.  “We had a time out, we drew up a play and we got the shot we wanted but it just missed.”

This is a big season for Trent; they are hosting the CUFLA National Baggataway Cup Nov 2-4 and receive an automatic bid into the tournament.

“We don’t want to take the back door into the tournament,” said McKinley.  “We want to compete every game.”

The Excalibur held training camp a week early this season and McKinley could see the difference already. “We’re gelling,” he said. “

“We had the chance to scrimmage with the Ontario Under 19’s and I am seeing a lot of positives.”

Recruiting was a focus this off-season and their hard work has paid off with a dynamic group of freshmen and some veteran leadership from Clarke Robinson and Tyler Tanguy, two players taking teachers college and have experience playing at the University level.

“Leadership is up this year,” said McKinley. “We have some guys with experience and know what it takes to win. They will help the younger guys narrow their focus and reach our goal.”

Returning for the Excalibur is team captain and MVP Niall Caravello, who if fresh off a Minto Cup victory for his hometown Orangeville Northmem. Caravello was CUFLA’s 2011 midfielder of the year and lead the league with 33 assists & 11 goals in 10 games.

Kalvin Thomas is back in goal this season after sitting out a year. The two-time most outstanding goalie will be a major presence in the defensive end.

Jon Hiltz will return to an offensive role thus season. Hiltz lead the team in scoring two season ago in his rookie campaign.

Second year Josh Gilray will be looked too in helping control the offence and put up points.

Re-joining McKinley on the bench this season is Mike Temple and Josh Wasson-McQuigge. Dan Carey has joined the staff this year and brings years of playing and coaching experience.

Mann Cup: Does Langley stand a chance?

Langley head coach Rob Jensen has embraced the role of the underdog so well you might just feel sorry for him.

“The Lakers are like the NBA dream team,” says Jensen, to a crowd of players and supporters who packed into Memorial Centre restaurant for the Mann Cup press conference. “You don’t beat Six Nations in five games and do it on the road without John Grant. If I take out Lewis Ratcliff or Garret Billings, then were in for a real tough time.”

Langley surprised critics last year sweeping Coquitlam four straight, then upsetting New Westminster in six games to host the Mann Cup which Langley lost to Brampton in five games.

Lakers offensive coach Jim Milligan thinks Langley are better than they let on.

“I think they are doing that to counteract coming into our building with our fans and our record,” says Milligan. “We know they are a good team, they wouldn’t of won the west if they weren’t.”

Langley forward Garret Billings was just two points behind Grant in the NLL scoring race this season; Grant set a a league record with 116 pts in 14 games, Billings had 114 in 16.
Billings says his team has been riding the coat-tails of their defence and despite the underdog status, believes it should be a good series. “No athlete comes into a game thinking they can’t win,” said Billings.  “We’ll have to find some cohesion if we’re going to have a chance to win and play very disciplined lacrosse.”

The Lakers have a lot of things going including a two week break. Grant Jr says they team have been able go get some much needed rest and had time to watch some tape of their opponent. “They have a lot of standout NLL players and have made the Mann Cup two years in a row,” said Grant. “I think they are an excellent team and will be tough to beat.”
The odds might just be stacked against Langley -The Last time a team from the west won a Mann Cup on the road in the east, was 26 years ago when the New Westminster Salmonbellies defeated the Brooklin Redmen, back in 1986.
--The Last team to win the Mann Cup from the west was the Victoria Shamrocks in 2005.