Chiefs double Excelsiors 12-6 to wrap up MSL semifinal

Dhane Smith and Six Nations are off to the MSL finals after downing Brampton 4 games to 1. (Photo: Dave Fryer)

Half of the Major Series Lacrosse championship series puzzle is in place. The Six Nations Chiefs earned a berth in their fourth straight league finals by finishing off their semifinal series 4-1 with a 12-6 win over the Brampton Excelsiors.

Things were close for the first half of the first period, then the Chiefs began to run away by connecting for three goals--starting with a Dhane Smith shorthanded marker--in a two and a half minute span. They led 5-1 after the first period and were up 8-1 by 6:16 of the second period.

Brampton was able to creep a little closer with a 4-3 edge in the third period, but they never really threatened to get back into the game. The Chiefs did an excellent job of containing league MVP Joe Resetarits, holding him without a point in the game. Mike Burke led Brampton with 2 goals.

Four different Chiefs matched Burke's goal output--Smith, Johnny Powless, Brandon Goodwin and Randy Staats had 2 goals each for Six Nations--while Kasey Beirnes produced a hat trick and Jeff Shattler contributed 5 assists.

The Chiefs now await the winner of the Peterborough vs Oakville semifinal, which could conclude as soon as tonight. Peterborough is up three games to one and playing at home at 8 pm. If Game 6 is necessary it will be Saturday at Oakville and Game 7 would be Sunday in Peterborough.