Victoria Shamrocks win WLA title, will face Six Nations Chiefs in Mann Cup

The Victoria Shamrocks downed the Langley Thunder 8-3 Thursday night to win the Western Lacrosse Association championship series 4-2. The Shamrocks will now be the hosts for the Mann Cup, facing off against the MSL champion Six Nations Chiefs in the Canadian national senior championship that will begin September 6.

Six Nations Chiefs are Major Series Lacrosse 2013 champions

Shooter Davis award winner Cody Jamieson
(Photo: Larry Palumbo). 

The Six Nations Chiefs have won their first MSL title since 1996, the last of a three-year run of Mann Cup championships. Six Nations finished off a sweep of the Brooklin Redmen with a 9-7 win in Game 4 of the MSL finals. Cody Jamieson led the way for the Chiefs, scoring the first two and the last two goals of the game in a dominating performance. He also added a pair of assists. For his efforts in the playoffs, Jamieson was awarded the first Johnny Shooter Davis award as the Most Valuable Player of the MSL playoffs.

Brooklin put out their best effort of the series, but were just unable to contain the Chiefs down the stretch. The Redmen responded from Jamieson's opening pair with a 4-goal run that allowed them to head to the dressing rooms leading 4-3 after the first period. The teams were tied 6-6 after an exciting back and forth second period, setting the stage for some drama in the third.

Chiefs down Redmen 8-4 to take 3-0 lead in MSL finals

Johnny Powless had 3 goals and an

assist to help the Chiefs take a 3-0 lead

over Brooklin. (Photo: Tim Prothero)

The Six Nations Chiefs are one win away from going to the Mann Cup for the first time since 1996. They downed the Brooklin Redmen 8-4 Friday night to take a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven Major Series Lacrosse championship series thanks to hat tricks from Colin Doyle and Johnny Powless and another excellent performance from Evan Kirk in net.

The Chiefs, as they have been wont to do in the series, took a lead in the first period. Brooklin actually created more chances and seemed more into the flow of the game than they had in the first two games, but they couldn't beat Kirk and wound up trailing 3-0 after 20 minutes. Doyle ripped home another outside shot to get things rolling for Six Nations in the second period and when Kasey Beirnes quick-sticked home a perfect pass from Doyle with an extra attacker as Brooklin had a delayed penalty coming, it was 5-0 and the Redmen were in trouble.

Brooklin pulled starting goalie Steve Fryer and put in Zach Higgins, and the tactic seemed to work to change the momentum of the game, kickstarting the Redmen into producing some transition chances and putting home some of their scoring opportunities. Kiel Matisz scored a pair of goals in the second period, both on chances where he received a pass right on top of the crease and buried them. Between those, Shawn Williams scored an unassisted goal, so the score after two periods was 5-3 and Brooklin appeared to be right in the game.

Six Nations extended the lead back to 3 goals when Cody Jamieson scored at 3:23 but Scott Campbell got that one back immediately, receiving the ball after a scrambled ensuing faceoff and running a perfect give and go with Williams, who was parked in the corner. The Redmen couldn't beat Kirk again, though, thanks largely to the exemplary work of the Chiefs defensive corps. And, while Higgins was outstanding in the Brooklin net, Doyle and Powless both managed to beat him to complete their hat tricks and put the game out of reach.

Chiefs down Redmen 11-5 to take 2-0 lead in MSL finals

Once again, the Six Nations Chiefs controlled the first and third periods to take a solid win over the Brooklin Redmen in the Major Series Lacrosse championship series. This time it was an 11-5 win in Brooklin that gives them a 2-0 lead in the series. The Chiefs reined in the Redmen's potent transition game in the first period and goalie Evan Kirk was impeccable in the Chiefs net as Six Nations took a 4-0 lead into the dressing room after 20 minutes.

Brooklin rebounded, got their running game going and outscored the Chiefs 4-1 in the second period to pull within a goal. They had a chance to do even more damage when Sid Smith was given a 5-minute slashing major with 4:10 to go in the period, but the Six Nations penalty killers stepped up and killed the penalty. That seemed to swing the momentum back to the Chiefs, as they scored 3 goals in the first two and a half minutes of the third period to extend their lead to 8-4. From there on, the Chiefs controlled play and closed out the win that gives them a stranglehold on the series heading back to Six Nations for Game 3 on Friday at 8 pm. All games in the series are available to view on pay per view webcast. Click on the Webcast Sports link in the right hand column of this site to purchase the games. 

Chiefs take first game of MSL finals with 12-7 win over Redmen

Colin Doyle scored 6 points in Six Nations' 

Game 1 win in the MSL finals. 

(Photo: Tim Prothero, VintageLax)

In the end, the Six Nations Chiefs were just too much for the Brooklin Redmen in Game 1 of the Major Series Lacrosse championship finals. The Chiefs won each period en route to a 12-7 win. Kasey Beirnes had a hat trick and 2 assist to lead Six Nations. Craig Point, Jesse Gamble and Cody Jamieson all added 2 goals and Colin Doyle scored once and added 5 assists for the Chiefs. Shawn Williams topped the Redmen with 2 goals and 2 assists, although it was a goal with which he wasn't credited that had the Brooklin players shaking their heads after the game.

With the score 7-6 for Six Nations late in the second period, Williams broke in on Chiefs goalie Evan Kirk and shot the ball low to the far side of the net. It appeared to bounce into the mesh and back out but was not signalled a goal by the officials. The replay didn't make it clear whether or not the ball had gone in, but Williams said “From all the players on their team that told me it was in, I'll say it was in.”

The play and what followed proved to be a critical turning point in the game. The Chiefs went back down to the other end of the floor and got a shot from a scramble in front of the net. Zach Higgins made the save but the rebound bounced up high to the edge of the crease, where Johnny Powless jumped to catch it and get off a shot that hit a falling Higgins and went back into the net with him. Just 23 seconds later, Gamble scored on a breakaway.

Game 1 of MSL finals to be webcast

The first game of the Major Series Lacrosse finals, tonight at 8 pm from the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena, will be webcast. You can purchase the game by clicking Webcast Sports link in the right hand column of this site and following the link there to the pay portal.

Important note: a new system is being introduced to try to make the internet stream at the ILA strong enough to successfully webcast. It appears that it will work, based on testing done today. There is also a backup plan in place. If, for some reason, neither system proves able to webcast the game without breaking down, anyone who purchases this game will receive a pass for the next game in the series. Please accept our apologies in advance if the stream does not work. JVI Video and MSL are doing everything possible to make sure that it does.

Schedule set for Major Series Lacrosse Finals

GAME 1: TUESDAY AUG. 20 BROOKLIN @ SIX NATIONS 8PM
GAME 2: WEDNESDAY AUG. 21 SIX NATIONS @ BROOKLIN 8PM
GAME 3: FRIDAY AUG.23  BROOKLIN @ SIX NATIONS 8PM
GAME 4: MONDAY AUG. 26 SIX NATIONS @ BROOKLIN 8PM
GAME 5: WEDNESDAY AUG. 28 BROOKLIN @ SIX NATIONS 8PM
GAME 6: THURSDAY AUG. 29 SIX NATIONS @ BROOKLIN 8PM
GAME 7: MONDAY SEP. 2 BROOKLIN @ SIX NATIONS 8PM

Major Series Lacrosse finals start Tuesday August 20

The first game of the Major Series Lacrosse championship series will be held at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena on the Six Nations Reserve Tuesday, August 20. Game 2 will follow Wednesday August 21.

The full schedule for the series, including webcasting information, will be released soon.

Redmen down Lakers 13-8 in Game 7 of semis, move on to championship series against Chiefs

For the first time since 2002, the Peterborough Lakers will not be in the Major Series Lacrosse championship series. The Brooklin Redmen took care of that Sunday night by downing the Lakers 13-8 in Game 7 of the MSL semi finals before a crowd of over 3,500 in Peterborough. Shawn Williams led the Redmen with 3 goals and 4 assists. Gavin Prout (3 assists), Mike Melnychenko (2 assists) and Cam Holding each added 2 goals for Brooklin. Zach Higgins was brilliant again in the Redmen net, allowing just the 8 goals on 57 shots. He also got a lot of help from his posts, with the Lakers ringing at least 10 shots off the iron.

John Grant, Jr. led the Lakers with 2 goals and 4 assists and Shawn Evans had 2 goals and 1 helper. Jimmy Purves played an outstanding game for Peterborough in a defensive transition role and added a goal and an assist to the cause.

Peterborough appeared to have more scoring chances in the first period, but the Redmen were able to capitalize on theirs and left the period leading 4-1, thanks largely to Williams scoring all 3 of his goals in the frame. Purves got the Lakers rolling in the second when he made a perfect cut to open space as the Lakers broke out with numbers then buried a shot past Higgins. Grant's power play laser from outside pulled Peterborough within one, but the Redmen had a response as Kiel Matisz scored a power play goal for Brooklin a minute and a half later.

Lakers and Redmen meet in Game 7 tonight

It's been quite a series. Brooklin took the first two games. Peterborough won the next three. Brooklin bounced back to take Game 6 in double overtime. That all leads to Game 7, Sunday night at 8 pm in Peterborough. The game is expected to be sold out or close to it as the teams take the floor to determine who goes on to the Major Series Lacrosse championship series, where the Six Nations Chiefs are waiting after sweeping the Kitchener-Waterloo Kodiaks in their semi.

You can catch all the action live via MSL's pay per view webcast. Just click on this link to purchase the game and get ready for the excitement of Game 7. 

Redmen win 7-6 in double overtime, force Game 7 with Lakers

Derek Hopcroft, here after a goal earlier in the series, had

reason to celebrate again after scoring the game winner in 

double overtime last night. (Photo: Tim Prothero)

Derek Hopcroft scored 34 seconds into double overtime to give the Brooklin Redmen a 7-6 win over the Peterborough Lakers, forcing a seventh game to decide their Major Series Lacrosse semi final series. Game 7 will be played Sunday night at 8 pm in Peterborough. On the winning goal, Kiel Matisz drove towards the net, drawing a pair of Peterborough defenders, then flipped a pass back towards Hopcroft. With Jimmy Purves rushing out towards him, Hopcroft quickly released a shot that skipped off the concrete and found a way through Lakers goalie Tyler Carlson.

The Redmen felt a huge sense of relief when that ball went in. Veteran forward Shawn Williams said “It usually happens quick like that. It was a little bit of 'oh my god' on both sides. We're still alive. Game 7 in Peterborough...we'll take it.” If Game 7 is anything like this Game 6, it'll be an exciting ride for players and fans alike. The Redmen came out of the gate pushing hard and controlling much of the territorial play. They scored 3 goals, all from players getting loose and receiving the ball right on top of the crease. The Lakers got goals on accurate outside shots from Shawn Evans and John Grant, Jr. to stay close, trailing just 3-2 after the first period.

Evans, Corbeil, O'Connor, Chiefs goalies and coaches earn MSL awards

Shawn Evans is MSL's scoring champion and MVP for 2013

(Photo: Tim Prothero, VintageLax)

Shawn Evans has added the Jim Murphy Award for the league's most valuable player to the Bucko McDonald award he earned as Major Series Lacrosse's leading scorer, MSL has announced. Evans won the scoring title by putting up 7 points in the last game of the season to overtake Shawn Williams. Evans wound up with 29 goals and 77 assists for 106 points while Williams finished with 27 goals and 776 assists for 103 points. Williams played all 20 of Brooklin's games; Evans managed to pull out the scoring title despite missing one game while on a brief honeymoon after getting married during the season.

The Brampton Excelsiors, despite suffering their first losing season since 1990, took home a pair of league honours for individual players. Chris Corbeil was named the winner of the Merv McKenzie Award for top defensive player. Corbeil had an outstanding season in his own right and was a tremendous leader and role model for the group of young defenders with whom he played. He scored 4 goals and 10 assists while playing in 18 of the Excelsiors' 20 games, all the while being matched up against opponents' top offensive threats.

Lakers take 3-2 lead in MSL semis with 15-9 win over Redmen Monday night

John Grant, Jr. had 5 goals and 4 assists to lead the Lakers 

over the Redmen in Game 5, giving Peterborough a 3-2 

lead in the series. (File photo: Tim Prothero)

John Grant, Jr. finally snapped out of his series-long drought and helped the Peterborough Lakers take control of the Major Series Lacrosse semi finals with a 15-9 win over the Brooklin Redmen Monday night, giving them a 3-2 lead in the series. Grant scored 5 goals and 4 assists in a dominating performance that displayed his shooting and passing prowess and how much of a difference they can make in a game. The Lakers transition game also played a huge role, with Brad Self adding 2 goals and 5 assists and Mark Steenhuis contributing 3 goals and an assist.

Grant's 9 points almost equalled the total of 10 he had produced in the three previous games he had played in the series, but he'd had only 1 goal over those three. He was visibly frustrated throughout the series as his shooting woes mounted. “It's been frustrating because I've been awful. I've been the worst player on the floor,” Grant said. “I've been letting the team down. Even tonight in the first period, I think I was the direct result of three of their goals.”

The Lakers' star forward said he's been trying everything he could think of to turn things around, but finally it was a simple bit of advice from teammate Scott Evans that seemed to do the trick. “I'm just trying to get out of my head, I'm switching sticks, I'm doing a bunch of stuff. I've just got to play. Scott Evans said just close your eyes and shoot it, so I did and a couple went in. I think the team all in all played well tonight so I was just contributing when I could.”

Lakers tie series thanks to MacIntosh goal with 3 seconds left

Jordan MacIntosh scored with 3 seconds to play to lift the Peterborough Lakers to a thrilling 12-11 win over the Brooklin Redmen in Game 4 of the Major Series Lacrosse semifinals, evening the series at 2-2 and returning home floor advantage to Peterborough.

“It's probably the biggest [goal of my career],” Macintosh said. “I've never really scored a late goal like that in a game so it's pretty cool. The play was basically just to get it over to John [Grant, Jr.] for a shot or a good look. He usually makes the right play there and I just kind of kept my stick in an area where he could get it to. I was fortunate enough that he got it there and I put it in.”

Grant made the pass from near the boards, across the crease and high enough that MacIntosh had to jump to get to the ball, but no Redmen defenders had an opportunity to intercept or knock it away. MacIntosh caught the ball at the peak of his jump and released it before he came down. Redmen goalie Zach Higgins caught the ball with his arm and knocked it away, but it was behind the goal line in the net when it made contact with him.

Lakers down Redmen 11-3 to pull within 2-1 in MSL semis

The Peterborough Lakers have been in this situation before. Backs against the wall, looking like they’re in trouble and having a hard time finding their game. And just like they’ve done many times before, they came out firing and won a critical playoff lacrosse game to keep their playoff run from going onto life support. Last night it was an 11-3 victory over the Brooklin Redmen that pulled them within 2-1 in the Major Series Lacrosse semi finals. And after struggling at times all over the floor in the first two games, Peterborough controlled pretty much all phases of Game 3.

Lakers goalie Tyler Carlson, who did not play well in the first two games and didn’t get lots of help from his defence, looked far more confident and solid in the Lakers goal. “Our defence was playing amazing tonight, the second period was way better,” he said, referring to the fact that the Lakers gave up 8 goals in the second period in each of the first two games. “Personally, I was shaky a little bit but now I’m stepping into the groove and finding myself and we’re going to really finish this thing off with a bang.”

Redmen take 2-0 series lead over Lakers with thrilling 11-10 overtime win

The Brooklin Redmen trailed 4-2 after one period, outscored the Peterborough Lakers 8-2 in the second to take a 10-6 lead, squandered that lead by being blanked 4-0 in the third, then got the only goal of the overtime period from Kiel Matisz to pull out a roller coaster ride of an 11-10 win in the Major Series Lacrosse semi finals Monday night.

The win gives the Redmen a commanding 2-0 lead in the series, which resumes with Game 3 in Peterborough tonight. You can watch the game live on a pay per view webcast by clicking on the link in the right hand column of this web site. There is also a radio webcast of the game available through the Lacrosse Radio Network, which can be reached via the link to In Lacrosse We Trust in this site's links page.

Also, the KW Kodiaks head to Six Nations trying to avoid falling behind 3-0 in their semi final tonight. Game time is 8 pm.

Redmen take semi finals opener over Lakers, Chiefs move to 2-0 ahead of Kodiaks

The Brooklin Redmen won the opening game of their MSL semi final series 13-10 over the Peterborough Lakers. The game was a low-scoring affair for the first period with the Lakers taking a 3-2 lead into the intermission. Then it blew up in the second with Brooklin outscoring the home team 8-6.  The third was back to the pattern of the first, as the Redmen outscored Peterborough 3-1 to clinch the victory in the first game of the best-of-seven series.

Five different players scored twice each for Brooklin and Gavin Prout had a goal and 5 assists. Shawn Evans was the top scorer in the game with a hat trick and 4 assists for Peterborough while Scott Evans added 3 goals.

In Kitchener-Waterloo, the Six Nations Chiefs took a 2-0 lead in the other semi final series by edging the Kodiaks 9-8. Kasey Beirnes was the only multiple goal scorer for Six Nations with a pair. Rodd Squire, Jr. and Cody Jamieson each had a goal and 2 assists for the Chiefs. Dhane Smith score 4 goals to lead the Kodiaks and Aaron Wilson had 2 goals and 3 assists.

The Lakers travel to take on the Redmen in Game 2 of their series Monday at 8pm then the clubs return to Peterborough for Game 3 Tuesday at 8pm. Both games can be seen on live pay per view webcasts. Click on the Webcast Sports icon in the right hand column of this web site to watch the games.

Six Nations and KW resume their series with Game 3 Tuesday in Six Nations then Game 4 Thursday in KW, both at 8pm.

Redmen vs Lakers series available on pay per view webcasts

The semi final series between the Brooklin Redmen and Peterborough Lakers will be webcast live via pay per view, starting Thursday August 1 from Peterborough at 8 pm. The cost to purchase a game is $7. To purchase games, click on the link at the top of the right hand column of this page.