NLL Insider

The Way We Play: A Lacrosse Message from former CUFLA Commish Gord Watt

By Gord Watt

Did you hear it? Did you hear the collective chest pounding coming from the lacrosse fans north of the border on a late August afternoon when Shawn Williams scored the winning goal and the upstart Toronto Nationals took the Major League Lacrosse championship in Annapolis, Maryland? Okay, it wasn’t a major sports extravaganza. It wasn’t even a sellout, but the Nationals’ victory could mark a significant change in, “How Things Will Be Done” in the lacrosse world.
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Zack Greer officially named new Reebok Lacrosse spokesman

As reported on August 24th by IL’s John Jiloty, Zack Greer was just officially confirmed as the new face of Reebok Lacrosse, according to a release from the equipment manufacturer. Greer, who is expected to be a high pick in next week’s NLL Entry Draft in Buffalo, joins NLL stars Brodie Merrill, Matt Alrich, Mark Steenhuis and Dan Dawson on the Reebok line, and will have his own ‘88′ line of equipment, starting with a head and handle designed with the Long Island Lizards star’s input.

Read below for the full press release from Reebok. READ MORE »

Lacrosse Links: Looking at the MLL’s recent run of Can-Am success

It’s practically Canada day over on InsideLacrosse.com, as IL’s staff takes a long look at just how the Canadian/American hybrid style of field lacrosse has become the new model of success at the professional field level, indicated by Toronto and Rochester’s championships in the last two seasons. First, the staff takes a look at the reasons why this model has been successful. Then Quint discusses five things we learned this summer in the MLL (Video), and we also updated our MLL Finals video roundup with the Nationals’ celebration footage from the field on Sunday (Video). READ MORE »

Sources: Zack Greer to Sign Lacrosse Endorsement Deal with Reebok

Inside Lacrosse spoke to sources close to Zack Greer Sunday about a pending deal for the former Duke and Bryant star with Reebok. Official word will be coming soon, but the deal will include camps, a complete Z88 line of equipment and a charity component to benefit Autism.

The NCAA’s all-time goals leader began his pro career in style this summer when he put up 14 points in five games for the MLL’s Long Island Lizards. But a broken hand forced him from the lineup for much of the summer, before he made a return for the playoffs in the Lizards’ 14-13 Semifinal loss to Toronto on Saturday in Annapolis, Md. Greer went third overall in the MLL Collegiate Draft in May.

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Lacrosse Links: Toronto wins MLL Championship

Behind 23 saves from the double-headed goaltending duo of Doc Schneider and Brett Queener, who played with an injured right hand, the Toronto Nationals beat the Denver Outlaws 10-9 for the MLL Championship yesterday in Annapolis, Md.
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Whirlwind lacrosse weekend for Grant Jr.

John Grant Jr. has been taking his return to lacrosse slowly, but this past weekend he kicked it into another gear, and then some. Yes, he played in Friday night’s Major Series Lacrosse playoff victory for the Peterborough Lakers, but he also played in games Saturday and Sunday to help the Toronto Nationals win the Major League Lacrosse championship in Maryland. He then flew — literally — back to Canada in time to rejoin the Lakers Sunday night as their MSL playoff series continued against rival Brampton. So if you’re doing the math, that’s 4 games in 3 days in 2 countries. How’d he do? Not too bad, considering. READ MORE »

MSL’s Game 3 suspended by power outage, but now there’s MLL to consider too

News outta Peterborough Thursday night is that Game 3 of the Major Series Lacrosse finals between Brampton and Peterborough was suspended in the first period because of a power outage. Game’s supposed to resume tonight, but it’ll be real interesting because no less than six players involved in this series play for the Toronto Nationals of Major League Lacrosse, whose Championship Weekend begins Saturday in Annapolis, Md. The Nationals are scheduled to play Long Island at 3 p.m. so there’s either gonna be mad shufflin’ going on between north and south or some teams are gonna be without some key players. Who’s affected? Turn the page. READ MORE »

Lacrosse Links: NLLers Rabil, Merrill headline MLL award winners

NLL rosters are pretty well represented with the Major League Lacrosse awards, which were all announced this week by the league, leading into this weekend’s championships.

Paul Rabil (Stealth) was announced today as the MVP, following his winning the Offensive Player of the Year award a day ago, while Brodie Merrill took home an unprecedented fourth straight Defensive Player of the Year honor (the only other player to win more than once was Nicky Polanco). Other awards went to Chris Eck (most improved), Jesse Schwartzman (Goalie of Year), Tim Goettelman (Sportsman), Dan Hardy (Rookie of Yeaer) and Brian Reese (Coach of Year). READ MORE »

Lacrosse Links: Junior has big day for Toronto Nationals

Reigning MLL MVP John Grant Jr. showed he’s back in ‘08 form for the Toronto Nationals, scoring five goals in last night’s regular season finale – a lopsided win over the Denver Outlaws. Grant, who was named Bud Light MVP for the effort, scored Toronto’s first goal of the game when they were down 3-0 to fellow playoff-bound squad, then added four more before the half to help his team to a 10-6 advantage at the break.

Splitting halves, Toronto goalkeepers Brett Queener and Doc Schneider helped hold the Outlaws to a season-low goals total. READ MORE »

MLL Playoff Picture Taking Shape

Toronto has joined Denver in the four-team MLL playoffs, but it appears the other two spots are still open after Saturday night’s games. READ MORE »