August 13, 2007


NEWS FROM THE EAST

The semi-final series out east have produced amazing drama, exciting action as one series has come to a close while the other is almost lights out for St. Regis and the defending Mann Cup Champs, Peterborough Lakers are one win away from advancing. The big shocker was the talent rich, 3rd place Excelsiors from Brampton sweeping the 2nd place Barrie Lakeshores in four straight games. This series was expected to go the distance – Barrie with their abundance of talented young guns in the likes of Sean Greehalgh, Mark Steenhuis, Chad Culp and Luke Wiles had home floor advantage and were picked by many to face the Peterborough Lakers in the MSL finals. But it just wasn’t too be for the blue, red and white brigade from Barrie as the Brampton squad played 4 clinical, masterful games for the series win. Led by the outstanding 1-2 punch of Anthony Cosmo and Brandon Miller, the Excelsiors held the Barrie attack to under 8 goals a game in each of the 4 games. Brampton’s depth really came to light in this series as it was not the typical Josh Sanderson and Aaron Wilson show night in and night out. Offensively it was unsung hero Jeff Shattler leading the way scoring 8 goals in the series en route to being named series MVP. After surprisingly winning games 1 and 2 on the road in Barrie, games 3 and 4 were back in Brampton and the Excelsiors did not take their foot off the gas as they continued where they left off. Game 3 was a barnburner as it went right down to the last minute with Cam Woods scoring an empty netter to seal a 10-8 thrilling victory. All-world defender Brodie Merrill led the way offensively with a 3 goal, 2 assist night while Blaine Manning and John Harasym chipped in with 2 goals apiece. Game 4 was a tight checking, low scoring affair as Brandon Miller was a human vacuum cleaner in the Brampton cage letting only 5 go by in a 9-5 series clinching win. Calgary Roughneck rookie Jeff Shattler bulged the twine 4 times while Blaine Manning and Josh Sanderson had 5 and 4 point outings respectively. The Excelsiors now wait to face the winner of the Peterborough vs St. Regis Indians tilt which is currently 3 games to 1 in favor of the 1st place Lakers from cottage country. The John Tavares led Indians from St. Regis are on the brink of elimination as there is no way I can see the mighty Lakers losing three straight – it ain’t happening. The first 2 matches were played in Peterborough with the defending Mann Cup champs winning both contests 11-8 and 7-3. John Grant had an amazing 9 point night in the first game carrying his teammates on his back for victory. Andrew Lazore led St. Regis with 4 goals in a losing effort while the legendary JT was held to a single goal. Rochester Knighthawk veteran goalie Pat O’Toole was the story in game 2, allowing a measly 3 goals from a St. Regis attack force consisting of an artillery of John Tavares, Brett Bucktooth, Pat Maddalena, Kevin Dostie and Steve Toll. The Darris Kilgour coached St. Regis squad bounced back in game 3 at home with a 10-9 win however, any momentum gained came to a drastic halt as the Lakers won the critical game 4 showdown 10-3 in a blowout. Scott Evans led the winners with a hat-trick while rookie standout defender Kyle Sorenson chipped in with a pair. Game 5 of the series goes Tuesday, August 14th in Peterborough – a Laker win sets up a showdown between the two big dogs, Brampton and Peterborough, a series that has the making of an epic. Two tremendously well coached teams with a ridiculously sick abundance of talented superstars on both teams. Fans out east are in for a real treat.

COQUITLAM VS. BURNABY

The Burnaby Lakers are giving the Adanacs all they can handle in a series that has seen several swings in momentum. Down 2 games to 1, the Adanacs had a must win game 4 on the floor on Poirier Street, and behind former NLL MVP Colin Doyle’s 5 goals, the A’s responded with a solid 9-6 victory evening the series at two apiece. Chris Levis was a standout between the pipes slamming the door in the 3rd period, not letting a single goal rip the mesh. The pivotal game 5 took place last Saturday night in Burnaby and once again it was DoyleTime as the San Jose sniper bagged 4 goals en route to a convincing 13-9 victory. Coquitlam Advances all-time leading scorer, Jason Wulder had a sensational 8 point night while Peter Veltman chipped in with 2 goals and 2 assists. Better team discipline, a ferocious defense and solid netminding by veteran Chris Levis have been the key contributors in the Adanacs two straight wins. The A’s look to put Burnaby away with a victory tonight – the New Westminster Salmonbellies who dispatched the Nanaimo Timbermen in 5 games await the winner. This young Burnaby team will not go down without a fight – tonight’s tilt should be a real gem.

2 MINUTES IN THE BOX WITH COLIN DOYLE

Most memorable moment in your lacrosse career – Winning the 88 peewee provincials & winning World Field Championships in 2006
In my spare time I like to – listen to music, poetry, golf, movies
Favorite midnight snack - Pizza
Favorite TV show - Simpsons
Hardest hitter in the game today – Gary Binning
Funniest teammate you ever had – Russ Heard
Favorite vacation spot – Turks & Caicos
Best goalie in lacrosse today – Whipper Watson / Cosmo
Favorite sport besides lacrosse - Hockey
CD in your car – Be Here Now - Oasis
Biggest influence in your lacrosse career – Father, Paul Gait
Best trash talker – Jim Quinlan
Favorite Rock Band – Oasis, Green Day
Most talented offensive player in the game today – John Grant Jr.
Favorite movie of all-time – Dumb & Dumber, The Pledge
Pre-game meal – Chicken Parm Sandwich
Your most overused saying – Legit

I’M OUT……….