May 26, 2007

The wait is finally over for all of us lacrosse junkies – nine months of no lacrosse is a tough pill to swallow every year but now that summer is upon us it means only two things – warmer weather and Saturday nights at the Palace on Poirier Street. The Coquitlam Adanacs anxiously await the start of the 2007 with one goal in mind – hosting the Mann Cup and winning it. Last year the A’s began their youth movement with several 1st year players and the club really came together nicely by season end displaying great chemistry and playing their best ball of the year. The A’s met the league champs Victoria Shamrocks in the 1st round of the playoffs and in a memorable, epic series the A’s lost a thrilling game 7 in Double Overtime by a 3-2 count – a game that fans will be talking about for years to come and many say it was one of the greatest goaltending performances ever seen by 2 of the game’s greats – Dallas Eliuk and Anthony Cosmo. Team goals are considerably higher in Coquitlam this season as the club has added several key pieces to an already outstanding nucleus of talent. The A’s made a big splash on draft day in February acquiring local Junior Adanac sniper Steve McKinlay and promising goaltender Brandon Atherton from Victoria both of whom should make big contributions in their rookie season. The Adanacs hit the jackpot during the offseason with the announcement that fan favorite and scoring sensation Colin Doyle is back in the fold after a one year absence. There isn’t much to say about Colin that already hasn’t been said among fans and the media over the years – the guy is a game breaker – one of the top players on the planet who makes teammates around him better players. Also, adding some juice to the offence will be 2 former Adanacs and current NLL stars Curt Malawsky and Dan Stroup – two crafty, talented righties who can put the ball in then net with the best of them. Doyle, Stroup and Malawsky look to revive their magic from six years ago when they were teammates of the 2001 Coquitlam Mann Cup Champs and with the likes of sharpshooters Jason Wulder, Peter Veltman, 2006 rookie phenom Andy Secore and Kris Bryde returning from last year, the A’s will be an absolute nightmare to defend against. Another huge signing by the A’s is that of Calgary Roughneck versatile defender Devan Wray who joins his brother Taylor wearing the blue and gold this summer. D-Wray is a quality defender with a stellar transition game and is also a force in the faceoff circle. Devan joins an all-star cast of defenders as Bruce Murray, Taylor Wray, Brad MacDonald, Andrew McBride, Scott Whitley, Ray Guze and Craig Gelsvik are lacrosse’s version of the Pittsburgh Steelers Steel Curtain. With the 2007 Mann Cup out west this season, the Adanacs have reloaded their artillery and are primed to make a serious run at lacrosse’s ultimate prize.

NEWS FROM AROUND THE LEAGUE

Well, it looks like the Victoria Shamrock’s reign of terror is coming to an end. For the past 5 years the Shamrocks have represented the West in the Mann Cup but times are changing for the islanders as there are 14 new players wearing the green and white, most of who are first year players. Not returning are the likes of all-world goalie Anthony Cosmo, defenders Andy Turner, Thomas Hajek, Rich Catton and Chris McElroy as well as gunners Kelly Hall, Ryder Bateman, Nolan and Tyler Heavenor and Sean Pollock. With the loss of Cosmo, the Shamrocks managed to fill the huge void between the pipes by acquiring 2006 2nd team all-star Nick Patterson from Maple Ridge in exchange for Rich Catton, goalie Matt King and a 1st round draft pick. Despite having a roster consisting of names not many people have heard about, the good news for Victoria is that their two kingpins on offense, Dan Dawson and Lewis Ratcliff are back for another season and along with newly signed rightie Callum Crawford from the NLL San Jose Stealth, Victoria should have enough in the tank to make the playoffs. The young and talented New Westminster Salmonbellies look to build on a solid 2006 season and along with Coquitlam should battle for first place. Gone from last year’s squad are Craig Stevenson, David Morgan, Greg Hinman and Kerri Susheski but a solid core of youth and experience in the likes of Conn, Hawksbee, Seller, Gajic, Hall, Morgan and Gill will make the Bellies a serious contender for the league title. The Burnaby Lakers should lock up the final playoff spot as veteran goalie Curtis Palidwor returns along with an impressive talented core of Spencer Martin, Kevin Olson, Curtis Hodgson and Cam Sedgwick. Maple Ridge will be in a dogfight to make the playoffs but are without question a more dangerous squad on paper – adding the likes of NLL stars Randy Daly, Sean Cable, Greg Hinman and bringing back their popular scoring ace Kyle Gaundrey.

2 MINUTES IN THE BOX WITH CHRIS LEVIS

Most memorable moment in your lacrosse career – Beating out Orangeville 17-2 in Game 4 in the 97 playoffs
In my spare time I like to – fish, train, read and play squash
Favorite midnight snack – whatever is in the fridge
Hardest hitter in the game today – Scott Whitley
Funniest teammate you ever had – John Rosa
Pre-game meal – chicken and potatoes
Favorite sport besides lacrosse – squash right now and hockey in the winter
CD in your car – Best of Pearl Jam
Biggest influence in my lacrosse career – my pops
Best trash talker – John Grant Jr.
Favorite road arena in the NLL – Toronto
Ugliest jersey in the NLL - Buffalo

I’M OUT……