Mann Cup: New West ties the series, 8-7 victory in Game 4
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Game 4 MVP, Cliff Smith
“A tight game, wow!” said ‘Bellies coach Bob Salt of the critical Game 4 victory. “I think we got a bit nervous at the end there, but we battled, we ran.”
“They’re a really good team,” added Salt, whose ‘Bellies fell down by a score of 4-2 after one period and 6-3 half-way through the game. “It’s hard to claw back on them, they’re a veteran team that keeps the ball and doesn’t give it up… But I think when we ran we gave them a lot of trouble.”
New West Junior call-up Kevin Crowley, also one of the select players invited to Canada’s national men’s field lacrosse team tryouts, scored a big goal that was the start to five-straight New West tallies.
Rookie Curtis Manning capped that run with the eventual game winner by bouncing a shot off the end boards, off goalie Anthony Cosmo’s back and into the net. That goal gave the ‘Bellies an 8-6 lead with five minutes to play.
“We had a break and we made our own breaks tonight,” added Salt.
The ‘Bellies out-shot Brampton 54-42, after registering just 13 shots on goal in the first period. New West also held the Excelsiors’ power-play to just 1-8 on the night. For more detailed analysis of Game 4, check out Jenner’s blog: It’s all tied up. What did you expect?
“We have a young team and they’re looking after themselves really well, but boy it is grueling,” added Salt of the championship format. The teams play their fifth game in six days on Wednesday night. Game 1 involved the bench-brawl. Games 2 and 3 both went to over-time.
“I think it’s the team that wants it the most that’s going to win it. They’re no better off than we are (physically) and they’re away from home. I think it’s to our advantage.”
“It’s good, we needed it,” added Cliff Smith of the Game 4 win.
“It was nice to be able to close the game out,” said Cliff, currently New West’s leading Mann Cup scorer expected to go high in today’s NLL Entry Draft. “It’s another one of those games in the series that could have gone either way. We’re just happy to be in a Best-of-3 now, at home.”
Colin Doyle and Blaine Manning combined for five of Brampton’s goals, while singles went to Shawn Williams and Patrick Merrill.
In the final seconds, Doyle – who had the Game 3 winner – drove again and this time dished to a cutting Manning but Matt Roik made the stop.
Eight players scored for New West in their 8-7 win, Smith just 21 seconds into the game. Jordan McBride, Scott Stewart, Kevin Crowley, Kyle Ross, Chris Gill, Peter McFetridge and Curtis Manning also tallied for New West who got their transition game going again.
“Balanced scoring is the key,” added Salt. “But we’ve got to shoot better if we’re going to win this series.”
Brampton is again anticipated to start regular back-up goalie Pat Campbell in net for Game 5 with Cosmo needed back East for work commitments. The Excelsiors added star Anthony Cosmo missed his scheduled flight back East on Monday night only as a result of the game going into double overtime.
New West, who last year helped spread a rumor that their young college players may be ineligible for the national championship, were skeptical of the Cosmo situation.
Smoke and mirrors or not, it is all part of a very entertaining series that will now go at least six games.
Fans also enjoyed the opportunity to chant Cosmo’s name at least one more time on Tuesday night, even boo-ing the NLL All-Star goaltender as he received his Game MVP award for Brampton.
Game 5 is Wednesday and Game 6 is Friday. All games start at 7:45pm PST in Queen’s Park Arena and can also be viewed online from theboxrocks.com.
If necessary, Game 7 will be played on Saturday night.
An All-America at Simon Fraser and a decorated Jr. A player for Coquitlam, Kojima began covering lacrosse in 2003 and started working for Inside Lacrosse in 2007. Email him at steve.kojima@nllinsider.com or go to www.laxfuj.com.Rate This Story:
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