NLL Insider

Road to the Minto Cup

Photo series from Six Nations’ game seven win

Last night the Six Nations Arrows capped off their improbable semi-final comeback against the St. Catharines Athletics to win game seven 6-2 and earn the right to take on the Orangeville Northmen once again in the Ontario Jr. A finals. If you couldn’t be there you needn’t worry, since not only were the Arrows on top of their game but their photographer Ward LaForme Jr. was too. To check out a few more images from game seven, read on. READ MORE »

Road to the Minto Cup

Junior ‘A’ Playoff Studs… So Far

Only seven teams are alive, six when either St. Catharines or Six Nations decides who wants to face Orangeville more tonight in what should be a crazy as hell Game 7 at the ILA.

So with that said and with NLL Insider naming their playoff performer of the year at the conclusion of the Minto, just wanted to check in quickly with the guys that are on our radar at this point in the post-season.

There have been some stellar performances so far, but who’ve been the most impressive over the long haul?

Check out our top ten best ballers so far this post-season… READ MORE »

Road to the Minto Cup

Six Nations bounces back, Victoria edges Burnaby in game one

After losing two games Saturday night and going down 3-1 in their best-of-seven semi-final, the Six Nations Arrows needed a big game on Sunday to keep up both their morale and chances of advancing. A 7-1 win over the St. Catharines Athletics ought to cover it. Over in B.C. the Victoria Shamrocks barely got a breather, beating out the New Westminster Salmonbellies Saturday night to get to the finals, and then winning game one last night 5-4 over the Burnaby Lakers. READ MORE »

Road to the Minto Cup

St. Catharines up 3-1, Victoria advances

Last night in Virgil the St. Catharines Athletics finished winning one game and then won another from scratch to take a commanding 3-1 lead over the Six Nations Arrows in their semi-final best of seven. The official score for game two is 14-8, and game four finished 9-7. Across the country the Victoria Shamrocks completed their three game sweep of the New Westminster Salmonbellies, knocking them out by a score of 10-7. READ MORE »

Road to the Minto Cup

Two B.C. teams on brink of elimination, Ont. semis underway

In two semi-final games last night both the Coquitlam Adanacs and New Westminster Salmonbellies fell to 0-2 in their series, with Coquitlam losing 9-8 in OT to the Burnaby Lakers and New West falling 5-3 to the Victoria Shamrocks. In Ontario, both semi-final series got started with the Orangeville Northmen taking a 1-0 lead in their match-up thanks to a 10-9 OT win over the Akwesasne Indians, while the St. Catharines Athletics started off on the right foot against the Six Nations Arrows, winning 10-6. READ MORE »

Road to the Minto Cup

Akwesasne advances, Burnaby wins game one

The winner of the final Ontario quarter-final was decided last night as the Akwesasne Indians topped the Burlington Chiefs 8-6. Kyle Buchanan and Jerome Thompson had five points apiece—each scoring one and assisting on four—to lead the Indians to a semi-final match-up vs. Orangeville. Peter Jacobs and Miles Thompson each added two goals. Joe Tallis made 28 saves. For the Burlington Chiefs, Kiel Matisz, Chris Moulson, Jordan MacIntosh and Scott Johnston each contributed two points, while Gary Muzzin stopped 39 shots. The Akwesasne-Orangeville series begins Sunday night, 8:00 PM EST at the Tony Rose Arena.

Over in B.C. the semi-final between the Burnaby Lakers and Coquitlam Adanacs kicked off last night, with the Lakers winning the first one 6-4. Scott Lowe made a ridiculous 51 saves on 55 shots to gift-wrap his team the win, while Alex Gajic led the team in points with one goal and two assists. Kelly Kilpatrick had two goals for the Adanacs.

RMLL, Road to the Minto Cup

Fish out of Water: Playoffs Arrive!

The playoffs are time when a team develops a new purpose.

Throughout the season, it’s tough to have the playoffs come into perspective, until they are on top of you. It is now the end of the year and the playoffs are about to be in full swing. Playoffs beards and mohawks can be seen on almost every sideline as teams across the country fight for a berth to their respective Cup tournaments. With the playoffs going haywire in B.C. and in Ontario, things are about to get interesting in Alberta. With only four teams in the province, everyone plays for a Minto Cup birth, and with the Jr. Mounties hosting this year, it leaves three teams playing for that birth.
READ MORE »

Road to the Minto Cup

New West and St. Catharines advance to semi-finals

With Sunday night’s convincing 9-2 win over the Nanaimo Timbermen, the New Westminster Salmonbellies became the first team to win their quarter-final series. Sean Tessarolo stopped 32 of 34 in the win, and Alex Turner scored three. The Bellies took out the Timbermen three games to one in their best-of-five. As a reward for their troubles, New West will be facing the Victoria Shamrocks in the semi-finals beginning Saturday at Bear Mountain Arena.

The second Jr. A elimination happened last night as the St. Catharines Athletics doubled up on the K-W Braves 8-4 to end their series at four games to one. Joel McCready and Corey Small scored two apiece in the win while Zack Bowen made 38 saves.

In the other Ontario Jr. A game last night, the Brampton Excelsiors staved off elimination by topping the Orangeville Northmen 9-7. READ MORE »

Road to the Minto Cup

Jr. A Player Poll: Assessing Playoff Threats

Towards the end of August there’s an event I’m pretty sure we’re all looking forward to. And then once our local Corn Fests are over it’s time to set sights on the most intense weekend in Jr. A lacrosse: the incomparable Minto Cup. There are a few steps between now and then, however, and now that it’s playoff time and the pressure is rising every team’s gotta be wondering who or what could possibly get in their way. Will it be a team that’s spent the season sitting in first place, or a team that got hot late? Is a bye always a blessing? And what province did the majority of the players predict would be the 2008 home to the Minto Cup? For these answers and more, including an intense set of caps lock comments, read on. READ MORE »

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 »

RMLL, Road to the Minto Cup

Fish Out of Water: Comparing box and field lacrosse

A lacrosse team is much like a quilt. Players from all over, patched together, all with the same goal in mind: win. Each player brings their own characteristics, their own skill and ability to the table in an attempt to mesh together for a greater purpose. Each player has different tendencies and different styles of play. This shows as each player takes the floor at their respective positions. Just like in field lacrosse each player molds to their position and, in turn, each position embodies a certain type of player. In the box, it is the same thing. Offense, transition, defense and goalie all have groups of players who follow stereotypes and fit their positions. READ MORE »

Road to the Minto Cup

Jr. A Player Poll: Ring Chasers and Holdouts

Despite everything we think we’ve been taught by the Seattle Mariners, the fact of the matter is that everybody always wants to win. For Junior lacrosse players in Canada there is no prize more prized than the Minto Cup, but the crux of the questions posed this week is just how important is that elusive ring? Does a chance at a championship supersede team loyalty? And how does the almighty dollar factor in? Those were the questions and here are the answers. READ MORE »

RMLL, Road to the Minto Cup

Fish Out of Water: The First Fight

Field lacrosse is a game of instinct. It combines a player’s skill with their determination and ability to read situations and react to then. Box lacrosse is different, but not in the sense of determination or skill. There is no time to think, to read and react; there can be no hesitation. If there is, that split-second window of opportunity a player sees could either turn into a goal or a turnover. The different style of play and quicker pace make for a more interesting and physical game of lacrosse.

READ MORE »

Road to the Minto Cup

Junior A Player Poll: the good, the bad, and the South Fraser Stickmen

For the entirety of the National Lacrosse League season we had the privilege of peeking into the minds of the pros on the topic of everything from fights and trash talk to refs and coaches. With summer ball in full swing it’s time to give another group of players the opportunity to tell you how they really feel in an anonymous survey.

The first topic the guys of Junior A have weighed in on is the seeming disparity between the top and bottom teams in their leagues. What can a team like the South Fraser Stickmen, who have been holding up the bottom of the B.C. standings since their 2005 brush with greatness, realistically do to improve their outlook? Does anything even need to be done? Maybe it’s not even a problem. READ MORE »

Road to the Mann Cup, Road to the Minto Cup

Friday and Saturday results

Ontario Jr. A

Friday, May 30

• It was a lot closer than it was last time these two teams met, but the Six Nations Arrows remained undefeated with a 10-8 win over the K-W Braves
• There was a wider margin over in Orangeville where the Northmen downed the Mississagua Tomahawks 14-3
• The Orillia Rama-Hammond Kings got things going offensively and tied the Peterborough Lakers 9-9 in OT

Saturday, May 31

• Just one game in Ontario Jr. A last night. The St. Catharines Athletics handed the Akwesasne Indians just their second loss on the season, however they did it convincingly. Final score 7-1 for the Athletics.

READ MORE »

Road to the Minto Cup

National Junior Player of the Year

Last night, Syracuse scoring machine Mike Leveille was awarded the Tweaaraton Trophy as the college game’s top stud.

For those not familiar with what the Tewaaraton is, checkout this link…

But in short, it’s the hardware that’s handed out to the best lacrosse player playing NCAA ball, for both the guys and the ladies.

Guys like Mikey Powell, Matt Ward, Kyle Harrison and former Albany Attack forward and Hofstra stud middie, Doug Shanahan, are past winners. The nod’s been handed out since 2001 and is definitely one of the game’s most anticipated announcements every year. So definitely big congrats to Mike for last night’s honour, and to Hannah Neilsen from Northwestern for being named top female in 08 too.

That brings me to us. What does our game have to honour our Junior level ballers?

In short, nuthin’. READ MORE »

Road to the Mann Cup, Road to the Minto Cup

Catching up with the playoffs

The Canadian playoffs are well underway and so far I would say that the only playoff surprise is that the Brampton Excelsiors are one game away from sweeping the Barrie Lakeshores as they took a 3-0 stranglehold on the series after last night’s 10-8 victory.

Out West, the Burnaby Lakers are headed to the BC junior A finals against the winner of the Coquitlam vs. New West series. In Western Senior lacrosse semifinals, Athan Iannucci’s New Westminster Salmonbellies lead Kaleb Toth’s Nanaimo 2-1 while Burnaby leads Coquitlam 2-1. In Ontario, the Junior A finals are set to begin with the first place Six Nations Arrows matching up against the second place Orangeville Northmen for the right to travel west for the Minto Cup.

READ MORE »

Road to the Mann Cup, Road to the Minto Cup

Mann and Minto Cup analysis from Ted Jenner

This week I want to update you with the action out west. Both the Mann Cup and the Minto will be played in British Columbia this year. The Junior A New Westminster Salmonbellies are the predetermined hosts of the Minto Cup while the host of the Mann Cup will be the winner of the Senior BC playoffs (New Westminster looks like the favorite). Since BC is about 2000 miles away from me, I’ve asked Ted Jenner of Victoria BC do my work. Ted plays for the Edmonton Rush of the NLL and also had stops in Rochester, Anaheim, and Minnesota. He has also played for the Victoria Shamrock for the last 6 years, going to the Mann Cup 5 times - winning it twice.

Here’s Ted’s analysis:

Hey Shanny,
In Junior A right now Victoria and Port Coquitlam (POCO) are headed to game 5 on Saturday. The home team has won every game and I don’t see that changing, so look for the Jr. Rocks to meet their long time nemesis in the Burnaby Lakers. The Lakers are 11 time BCLA champs, ELEVEN TIMES!! That’s just all around impressive if you ask me. I really don’t see anyone knocking them off. They finished the season with the top three scorers in the league, and finished atop the standings with a 19-2 record. Curt Malawsky (NLL’s Arizona Sting) has gone from being one of the top players in the league, to the ultimate coach. He knows how to motivate his team and get them ready for the big games. Look for the Lakers to make it to the finals again!

READ MORE »

Road to the Minto Cup

Ince, MacDougall stay busy on and off the field

Virginia-bound Garett Ince (right), with Dylan MacDougall (left) and Devlin Shanahan.

When Inside Lacrosse asked me to do a blog on the Canadian summer league they reminded that the majority of their readers are interested in either NLL stars or NCAA players. I could probably tell you almost every single Canadian Senior player that is playing in the NLL but other than some high profile NCAA players (Zack Greer, Garrett Billings, Daryl Veltman) I couldn’t tell you how many Junior A Canadians are playing in (or heading to) the NCAA. I knew I would have to do my homework. As a start IL editor John Jiloty mentioned a number NCAA recruits that he knew were Canadians including Garett Ince, the incoming freshman for Virginia. “Garett Ince,” I thought, “that name rings a bell.” I run a lacrosse camp in Toronto (www.shannylacrosse.com) and I’m sure that Rob MacDougall, one of my lead instructors, mentioned that his son Dylan MacDougall would be helping along with Garett Ince. Well it was the same Garett and after this week I might have to change the name of my camp to the Ince – MacDougall lacrosse school. Not only have they helped many young lacrosse players this week – they have also educated me.

Of course Ince will be going to Virginia next year. Dylan MacDougall will be entering his second year at Bellarmine. Both have been teammates since they started lacrosse at seven years of age in the town of Oakville (just outside of Toronto). Now they are opponents as Garrett is playing for the Brampton Excelsiors and Dylan plays for the Burlington Chiefs of the Ontario Junior A league. With one game left in the season it looks like Brampton may enter the playoffs with the league’s third best record and Burlington has a good chance at a playoff spot as well in the 13-team league.

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Road to the Mann Cup, Road to the Minto Cup

Scouring the Canadian summer ranks

John Grant, Dan Dawson, Lewis Ratcliff, John Tavares, Shawn Williams, Gavin Prout, Tracy Kelusky, Scott Evans, Josh Sanderson and Pat Maddalena. These box lacrosse stars were the top 10 scorers in the NLL this past season. What do they all have in common? Six of them won a World Indoor championship for Canada in May. Three of them won a World field lacrosse championship last July for Canada. A few of them are in the MLL this summer. Yes, all of them are Canadian but that’s still not what I’m talking about. Every one of them is playing summer box lacrosse in Canada’s Senior league. We’re talking about the quest for the Mann Cup here – the ultimate amateur lacrosse trophy in Canada. Some will say that the Minto Cup – the trophy given to Canada’s best Junior lacrosse team is even harder to attain since the duration of a Junior career (5 years) is much shorter than the potential length of a Senior career – and I wouldn’t argue with them. But, in a nutshell, the Canadian Senior league features most of the best indoor lacrosse players in the world (current NLL stars), while the Junior league features many future NLL stars as well as many NCAA stars (Zack Greer, Garrett Billings).

READ MORE »