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Well here we are! One game away from deciding the two combatants for the 2008 Mann Cup and it’s pretty obvious that this is exactly how the Ontario champs should be decided. For the third time in five years, the Peterborough Lakers and the Brampton Excelsiors are battling it out to face the B.C. champs in another much anticipated game 7 match up. Will the Lakers be able to win their 5^th straight MSL title? Or will the boys from Brampton make their first appearance at the Mann Cup since 2003? Regardless, if you are able to get to the game, I highly recommend that you do!

The Lakers, with loads of Mann Cup experience having been there so often, know what to expect. The Excels are a talent-loaded team filled with players who have been to the big dance in both the summer and winter circuits. Oh and being able to sleep in your own bed and have home cooked meals is a huge advantage as well. However the toll of a seven game series may counteract some of these positive factors.

The winner of this pivotal game 7 will have a decisive advantage going into the national finals, as only once in the past 11 years has the home team failed to take the Cup and that was last year when Lakers took it from Coquitlam.

As much as the eastern champs will have in their favour, the New Westminster Salmonbellies have a few aces up their sleeves as well. Not only did they breeze through the WLA regular season unscathed, but they swept their way through the play-offs with no losses and in a fairly healthy manner as well. They will have a few extra days to rest some tired bodies and get in a couple more physiotherapy sessions before boarding a plane to Ontario. Oh yeah and even though this is their first appearance in a Mann Cup since the 1996 brawl fest, the ‘Bellies are the Montreal Canadians of lacrosse, having won 24 Mann Cup titles in the clubs history with their last title coming in the 1991 finals.

Sure none of the players on New West have played in a Mann Cup final but that may give them the freshness that could push them to the finish line. Not too many people know about the ‘Bellies outside of B.C. Sure fans may know that they ran through the west and that they had a few awards winners (should have been way more if you ask me) but do they really know them?

I’m sure coaches Jamie Batley and Troy Cordingley and their respective staff will be doing everything they can to get their hands on game tape from this year and scout as much as possible. But video can only show you so much. Seeing Dave Morgan on the screen gives you no real gauge on how big 6′10 really is. Trust me lacrosse fans, when I say the ‘Bellies are a big team, I’m not exaggerating! With half a dozen guys over 6′4, the giants will be heading back east to prove that they are the real deal. I, for one, think they have a legit shot at being the first western team to win on the road in 22 years; and that team just happened to be the 1986 New Westminster Salmonbellies. Did I mention that they have a little bit of talent as well? Ilija Gajic, the WLA play-off MVP, leads the team with a calm and cool demeanor that you would expect from a 10 year vet. Throw in the savvy of Chris Gill, the strength of Peter Morgan and the youth of guys like Cliff Smith, Jamie Floris, Jordan McBride and Jordan Hall and you have one of the most athletic and lethal offenses in the game.

One more name for you to watch out for: Tyler Richards! In my mind he was the easy choice for the league MVP. For a rookie to step into the line-up right away and have as dominating a year as he did is absolutely amazing. Dealing with bigger nets, restricted padding, bigger, stronger and faster shooters is a challenge for any goalie, but he handled it with ease and was a HUGE reason the ‘Bellies are where they are! Going 13-1 with 97 goals against for a 6.35 goals against average and an 85% save percentage I’m still amazed he wasn’t named MVP. This kid is the real deal!

I know there are lot of things stacked up against the road team going into the finals, but Coach Bob Salt has his team playing some amazing lacrosse and they are sitting right on the edge of confidence and cockiness . That attitude has been with them all year long and they haven’t showed any signs of slowing down. The 2008 Mann Cup is nine days away! Get your tickets because I have a strong feeling there will be some serious fireworks and as the back of their warm up shirts say, New West has some ‘Unfinished Business’ to take care of!

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