NLL Insider

NLL Insider

BaseBrawl – where does it end?

It’s that time of year again: the long, hot days of summer. What does one do with themselves when there is no NBA or NHL to watch or attend? Hmmmm…vacations to the Hamptons, camping trips up north, or maybe a family bike tour just to say you were able to get out of the house for a while. How about taking them across the border and doing a weekend tour of two MSL or WLA arenas so you and your family can get your lacrosse fix and see some of the big names battle it out for national supremacy!? READ MORE »

WLA

WLA: Fight for playoff seeds

The New Westminster Salmonbellies (10-0) continue to roll through the Western Lacrosse Association (WLA). They remain the only undefeated team in the country and a top the CLA Power Rankings. But Shanny says don’t be surprised if they drop a game this week.

The Salmonbellies won last week with close wins over Coquitlam and Burnaby by scores of 10-8 and 8-7 respectively. They play just one game this week - in Coquitlam. It’s the third and final meeting between the WLA’s top two teams this regular season.

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NLL Insider

Arizona Sting Dispersal Draft set for Monday

NLL Insider has learned from several sources that the anticipated Arizona Sting Dispersal Draft will happen this coming Monday afternoon, with Dan Dawson likely going to the expansion Boston Blazers with the first overall pick.

It’s expected several teams will try and land the number one spot via a trade with Boston, the Edmonton Rush likely being the most aggressive, but most insiders currently feel that the Blazers will hold onto the pick and land Dawson, one of the sport’s biggest impact players. READ MORE »

The Beat

Using lacrosse to bridge the gaps

The legal wrangling is over land, 13,000 acres to be precise, but there are specific spots of land off-limits to any kind of court proceedings. And that, is the box.

There’s a fantastic story in the Utica Observer Dispatch of central New York that mentions the lawsuits between the Oneida Nation and the U.S. Government, but those differences aren’t getting in the way of Natives and non-Natives enjoying box lacrosse. “For years, we’ve had indifference with the outside community,” Nation member Ron Patterson told the newspaper. “Everyone puts all that aside to be at a lacrosse game.” Chalk it up as just one more reason to love the game as Natives share their game with kids who visit the Nation, where the historical, spiritual and cultural aspects of the game are more important than simple Xs and Os.

Inside the Numbers

The Money Ballers: JR A Edition

Outside of tossing up the usual 30 best Money Ballers in Junior A ball, this week we also hashed out the guys that are getting their stick on the one that matters most… the game winner.

Yeah, Jacob Kicknosway-Louks leads Ontario with four game winners, but what about BC, and what about the helpers on those GWG’s in any province (Alberta digits will be in the mix soon)? READ MORE »

Senior A

CLA Power Rankings: Week 5

Although they are not dominating (two one goal victories last week) the New Westminster Salmonbellies keep winning and their very impressive 10-0 record have made it very easy to keep them a top the National rankings – especially when you combine that with Brampton’s two losses last week.  This coming week will be pivotal for the defending Mann Cup winning Peterborough Lakers. With 3 games in 5 nights the Lakers hope to shake off their early season rust and show that they are once again a contender. Having Shawn Evans back in the lineup should help. READ MORE »

National Ranking

National Junior A Ranking: Week 5

We’re definitely at the point now where lacrosse-math doesn’t factor into the National Junior A Ranking. Not that we every really relied on that, but with teams like Akwesasne losing to Peterborough and then beating Orangeville, or Burnaby just straight up getting floored by Delta (no Gajic no W), it’s getting tougher and tougher to justify having one team over another. And that’s just provincially.

The ‘Ville’s loss to the Indians and New West’s win over Victoria rocked the rankings this week, but with Coquitlam and Six Nations taking care of Nanaimo and Toronto respectively in their lone games, the top two spots ain’t movin’. READ MORE »

Major Series Lacrosse

Iannucci out, Accursi in for St. Regis

St. Regis loses 2008 National Lacrosse League (NLL) Most Valuable Player (MVP) Athan Iannucci due to a knee injury but picks up 2008 NLL Champion Mike Accursi in trade deal inked today.

“He’s been around with the past two NLL championship teams in Rochester and Buffalo, so we’re excited to have him come aboard,” added Troy Mitchell, St. Regis General Manager. ”He’s going to help in the locker room as well as on the floor. He’s great leader.”

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Road to the Minto Cup

Jr. A Player Poll: the Etiquette of Fighting

Everyone knows the first rule of Fight Club. Probably because that’s the only line anyone ever quotes. But when it comes to be tilt-time in Junior A lacrosse, is it a no-holds barred free-for-all like the occasional bench-clearing brawl would lead us to believe? For a look at how it all starts, how it can end, and a rundown on the worst of the worst of bad fighting manners, keep reading. READ MORE »

Inside Lacrosse Magazine

Inside Lacrosse August Issue: Mascot Showdown

So the Minto Cup will be on us before we know it, and teams likes the Adanacs and Salmonbellies will be vying for a trophy Canadian laxers would gladly spill liters of blood to hold. But no matter who takes home the hardware, we’re all winners by getting exposed to the awesomest side of indoor lacrosse: crazy mascots. Begging the question, who has the craziest mascot?

The WLA has the early edge in the semifinals (Coquitlam  vs. Orangeville, Nanaimo vs. Wallaceburg), so put in your vote to see if the Northmen and the Red Devils can make a late charge before the finals are unveiled later in the week.

Click here and let your voice be heard!