NEWS FROM THE EAST

Well after 3 months of an extremely exciting season in the MSL – the two remaining dogs on the porch are the defending Mann Cup Champs, Peterborough Lakers and the famed Brampton Excelsiors – these giants are currently battling in the best of 7 MSL finals for the right to board a plane at Pearson International and fly out west to face the WLA winner in the 2007 Mann Cup Championship. Both squads are stacked to say the least – you’ve got Josh Sanderson, Blaine Manning, Brodie Merrill, Dan Teat, Aaron Wilson, Cam Woods, Mike Hominuck, Jeff Shattler and Anthony Cosmo in the Brampton corner while in the Peterborough room you’ve got the likes of John Grant, Tracey Kelusky, Scott Evans, Dan Carey, Jason Clark, Jason Crosbie, Ryan Cousins, Scott Self and Pat O’Toole – pick your poison. After 3 games it looks like we have a huge upset on our hands as the Brampton Excelsiors have a 2 games to 1 lead over the mighty Lakers and are now just 2 wins away from competing in the Mann Cup beginning on September 7th in either Coquitlam or New Westminster. Brampton cruised through 2nd place Barrie in the semi-finals, sweeping them in four games and haven’t missed a beat since. Game 1 of the Ontario finals took place on August 16th in Peterborough and it was the Excelsiors from Brampton taking the boots to the defending Mann Cup Champs by a count of 8-2 in what was a clinical and masterful performance. Anthony Cosmo was brilliant in the nets holding the 3 big offensive studs of Peterborough – John Grant, Tracey Kelusky and Scott Evans completely off the score sheet – absolutely incredible. Aaron Wilson and Dan Teat led the charge for Brampton, each firing in 2 goals while singles went to Josh Sanderson, Mike Hominuck, Blaine Manning and Jeff Shattler. An impressive crowd of 2700 went home stunned as the hometown Lakers now faced a must win game 2 on the road in Brampton on Sunday, August 19th. Brampton’s shocker in game 1 woke up the giants from cottage country as Peterborough evened the series 1-1 with a 12-9 victory. Goal scoring extraordinaire John Grant along with lefty Jason Crosbie both netted hat-tricks while Ryan Sharp and Scott Evans each chipped in with a pair. Rookie call up Josh Gillam surprisingly led all Peterborough scorers with a 5 point night. Game 3 shifted back to Peterborough yesterday and it was another road victory for the pesky Brampton squad winning 10-6, thus inching ever so close to a trip west. Peterborough stormed out to an early 3 – zip lead but the resilient Excelsiors fought back on the strength of a Dan Teat hat-trick to once again stun the Peterborough faithful. Peterborough’s big guns, Grant, Kelusky, Evans and Carey managed only a combined 4 goals – that’s not gonna get it done. The ever so important game 4 takes place in Brampton tomorrow night, the Lakers are faced with a must win situation – a loss tomorrow night and Peterborough will be forced to win 3 straight games – that’s asking an awful lot.

COQUITLAM VS. NEW WESTMINSTER

Six years ago the Coquitlam Adanacs won the Mann Cup, defeating Brampton in a thrilling game 7 at the Pacific Coliseum, the last mainland team to win the Canadian Title. Well 6 years later the A’s are 1 win away from competing for the National Championship yet again as the Adanacs are out in front 3 games to zip over the 1st place New Westminster Salmonbellies. Coquitlam had a rather mediocre up and down regular season but are now peeking at the perfect time – the club is on a 6 game winning streak going back to the Burnaby series and are without a doubt playing their best ball of the season. Goaltender Chris Levis has been an absolute monster in the cage for the A’s making big save after big save while the swarming and smothering defense have kept the Salmonbellies snipers at bay. Down 2 games to none heading into game 3 last Monday, the hometown Bellies could not overtake the Adanac juggernaught suffering a 10-6 defeat. Coquitlam Adanacs all-time leading scorer Jason Wulder led the way with a 5 point night while rookie Daryl Veltman banged in 3 goals. The Adanacs look to close out the series tonight and host the Mann Cup right here at the Coquitlam Sports Centre – New Westminster will not go down without a fight – tonight’s tilt should be a barnburner.

2 MINUTES IN THE BOX WITH MIKE LEONG

Most memorable moment in your lacrosse career – Getting MVP in Midget Provincials
In my spare time I like to – Go to the gym
Favorite midnight snack – Anything edible
Favorite TV show – Family Guy
Hardest hitter in the game today – Tim Campeau
Funniest teammate you ever had – Jordan Hall
Favorite vacation spot – California
Best goalie in lacrosse today – Dallas Eliuk
Favorite sport besides lacrosse - Football
CD in your car – 2PAC
Biggest influence in your lacrosse career – Parents
Best trash talker – Curt Malawsky
Favorite Rock Band – Green Day
Most talented offensive player in the game today – Ray Guze
Favorite movie of all-time - Scarface
Pre-game meal – Pasta

I’M OUT……….