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.

Lakers vs Chiefs MSL Finals- Aug 21

Folowing game two thoughts.

Here is a link two all the goals from the TV Cogeco broadcast.

http://www.tvcogeco.com/peterborough/gallery/our-shows/2931-peterborough-lakers-lacrosse

Lakers have wore down the Chiefs and take a two game lead, coming from behind each game winning down the stretch. Teams have both been scoring in numbers, the Lakers had a four goal stretch in game two and never looked back.periods on each game one and two.

Game 1 - Chiefs had the 2-0 lead after the first period of game one.
In the second, Lakers strike six goals and win the game 10-7.

Game 2 -   Similar score after the first period, only two goals scored one by Six  Nations followed by John Grant for the Lakers.

Six Nations get some power play time and score two quick ones.
 The Lakers tuned in and went on a four goal run.

With a minute to go in the game Lakers goalie Tyler Carlson throws a bounce shot into the Chiefs empty net.

 Lakers are in Six Nations tonight for game three.

Here is the point streak game sheet and stats

http://www.pointstreak.com/prostats/boxscore.html?gameid=1996503



Game four in Peterborough will be on TV Cogeco.
Play-by-play man @Petedalliday  (follow him in twitter) will be there with the call. Host Tyson Geich @TysonLW has the interviews and yours truly @jessethomas21 has the analysis and colour commentary

The Peterborough Lakers can sweep the Brooklin Redmen

August 9, 2012

Lakers defeat Brooklin 11-8 and can sweep the series at home for game four. 

Cory Vitarelli talks during 1st intermission
with host/colour commentator Michelle Farrugia

Leading up to game three, all the talk had surrounded the play of Lakers crease man Cory Vitarelli. His physical play in front and around the crease has been a big part of the Lakers success. He has tallied eight goals and four assists in the the first two games.

To Game three, which was the most entertaining game.

John Grant opened the scoring for the Lakers and then on the ensuing play things get testy as a crowd gathers and Vitarelli has his helmet punched off by Scott Gamble who continued to go after Vitarelli with punches. Players piled up and and got tied up and the  officials did their best to split things up.

The penalty box was a busy spot and players were packed in like sardines. Peterborough had Grant, Matt Giles, Evans and Jamie Lincoln  in the box and Brooklin's big men Jeff Gilbert, John Durno and Kyle Matisz were stuffed in the other side.

Like game one the first period was drawn out with penalties and the score at the end was 5-2 but this time in favour of the Laker favour and they held onto the lead for the rest of the night.

Shawn Evans curls away from Derek Suddons.
Evans leads the playoffs points with 10gs, 18as.

Brooklin tried to get Peterborough off their game by luring them into the rough stuff but to the Lakers credit they stayed away from that and played lacrosse.

Things looked like they were going to get rough as Scott Evans shook his mitts at Gamble trying to even the score for the Vitarelli assault. But Evans invite was ignored as Gamble tried to look the other way.

To the third period and  with under a minute to go. Brooklin’s Shawn Williams went on a slashing spree. Chopping Jim Purves a couple times. The two went face-to-face and it looked like a fight might happen but it didn't. On the next whistle Williams chopped Shawn Evans and the two traded a couple of good slashes. At that point nothing more developed and the Lakers would take game three 11-8.

Tracey Kelusky has a shot on the crease
and Cory Vitarelli gets into a passing lane.

Shawn Evans led the way with four and four, Grant finished with a hat trick and one assist. Jamie Lincoln had two and one. Mark Steeinhuis a goal and two assists. John Tavares had three helpers. Kyle Sorensen scored one as well.

Tyler Carlson played strong in net for the Lakers and made some big saves down the stretch to keep the Lakers in it. Brooklin spent most of the game trailing by two or more goals but they inched back in and made it a one goal game midway through the third. Scoring a a long outside underhand was Williams making the score 9-8.
The game remained close until Evans scored his fourth of the game to make it 10-8 with under 90 seconds to play. Kyle Sorensen added a late goal.

The Lakers are undefeated so far these playoffs, outscoring their opponents 80-46 averaging just better than 13 goals for and allowing fewer that 8 against in six games.

The Lakers take a three game series lead with game four back in Peterborough Monday night 8 PM and the PMC.

Mark Steenhuis drags his way to the net.

Peterborough Lakers defeat Brooklin Redmen 10-8

The Peterborough Lakers began their MSL semifinal series with first place Brooklin Redmen on Sunday. The Lakers got off to a rocky start taking 23 minutes in penalties in the opening period and trailed 5-2 after a long drawn out first period that took nearly 45 minutes to finish.

 Officials had to stop play on a number of occasions and huddled at the timekeepers box to make sure all the penalties added up.

Mac Allen had five minutes for fighting, Shawn Evans took a slashing penalty behind the play, giving Brooklin goalie Aaron Bold a slash on the fibres that may of sounded bad but wouldn't hurt a cat. Kyle Sorensen's cross check rolled up Bold's shoulder and caught him in the neck and Mark Steenhuis took himself out of the first period spending six minutes in the box.

Before all the penalties there was still a lacrosse game being player and Brooklin got up three quick goals. Shawn Williams drove his man low and set a pick and allowed a gap for Scott Campbell to roll in and score on the teams first possession.

The Lakers transition got things rolling offensively for the Lakers. Brad Self took the down the floor on  a two on one and found Steenhuis streaking through in the slot who beat Bold, squeezing a shot over his should. Self then took an outlet pass from goalie Kevin Crosswell and Self finished the breakaway with an underhand shot between the legs.

Brooklin scored two more goals to end the first period with a 5-2 lead.

Brooklin came out the same way they did in the first, scoring on their first shot. Jamie Batley made the call to pull Crosswell for Tyler Carlson and the move paid off.

The Lakers rallied defensively allowing fewer shots and Carlson allowed only two goals in the final 39 minutes of play.

Stepping it up on offense for the Lakers was Cory Vitarelli, creating havoc around the crease, forcing turnovers and picking up loose balls on the doorstep and scoring a hat trick. Josh Wasson also scored and the Lakers led 7-6.

The third saw the Lakers outscore the Redmen 3-2. Picking up his second goal of the game was Steenhuis and Jamie Lincoln and Allen had a goal apiece.

Carlson played well off the bench. The Lakers defence kept on their toes and forced the Redmen away from the middle of the floor and out of their comfort range.

The Lakers played their best team game on offense. Moving the ball well, rotating, always running, setting picks and wearing out the Brooklin defenders.

Three Stars:

1st star - Cory Vitarelli: 3 goals and his spirited play around the net,  forcing turnovers on the crease. His best goal was a turnover steal from Bold and Viatrelli circled the net with the ball and slammed a shot lo.  Self set up Vitarelli in the slot for his first of the game, an outside one timer and his third goal came with under a minute to go in the second giving the Lakers a 7-6 lead.

2nd star - Mac Allen: had a fight in the first and then played a full out strong defensive game. bringing the action to Brooklin and making it hard for their players to their shots and creating turnovers.

3rd star - Tyler Carlson came in for relief early in the second and allowed just two goals in 39 minutes of play.

Out of the lineup was John Grant Jr, Tracy Kelusky and Scott Evans.

Game two is Tuesday 8pm at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

Sport fans and bookworms, you will enjoy this story called "Stickman" written by Don Barrie.  A book  about a troubled boy who finds his way with the help of lacrosse but finds out that his troubled past seems to catch up with him.

It's a great read and lacrosse fans will especially like it. You can purchase the book at the Laker games and get it autographed if you find Don, usually in the northeast corner of the Memorial Centre.

Peterborough vs Brooklin game 1 preview

The Lakers lost the season series with Brooklin taking three of four games. They won the last game to save off a sweep but the playoffs is a new season and for Lakers. Brooklin finished first overall and had a first round bye where the Lakers are coming off a four game sweep against Ajax who are not at the Lakers level.

Brad Self had seven goals in the first three games of the Ajax series he and Shawn Evans have been raising their game and will have to continue to lead the way on the floor John Grant Jr is indispensable and perhaps unstoppable. He has revitalized his game and is coming off a record breaking NLL season (setting a new single season points record with 117pts) and has been busy this summer spending time playing MLL pro field lacrosse with the Chespaeake Bayhawks and box for the Lakers.

Here is an article written about John Grant Jr by Steven Petrella for the Baltimore Sun.