It's the old guard versus the new kids
on the block, but that is just one of many story lines for the 2016
Mann Cup.
The annual best of seven Canadian
senior lacrosse championship features the best lacrosse players in
the world. This year it sees the Six Nations Chiefs looking to claim
their third title in four years facing off against the Maple Ridge
Burrards, who haven't been to the Mann Cup since 1990.
Legendary player John Tavares, who will
go into the National Lacrosse League Hall of Fame in a few weeks, is
now coaching the offence for the Chiefs. When the Burrards made their
last Mann Cup appearance 26 years ago, he was a rookie for the team
that at that time played out of Vancouver.
While the Chiefs have become Mann Cup
regulars, they faced the toughest challenge in years to claim
Ontario's Major Series Lacrosse crown. The regular season was the
most competitive in years, with fourth teams battling for first place
until the final week. Six Nations overcame several injuries to key
players to down the Brooklin Redmen in the semifinals.
Their opponent in the championship
series for the third straight year was the Peterborough Lakers, who
finished first in the regular season but had to fight hard to beat
the Oakville Rock in the semis. The Lakers then enjoyed a perfect
start to the MSL finals, winning three straight games to all but
assure themselves of a return to the Mann Cup that they lost to the
Victoria Shamrocks a year ago.
Cody Jamieson, wearing a heavy brace to
protect a knee that will require surgery once the season is done and
that will likely keep him out of the Mann Cup, made a surprising and
heroic return in Game 4. With his appearance on the floor, the Chiefs
turned the tide and ran the table, stunning the Lakers by taking the
last four games of the series.
Meanwhile, the Burrards were shaking
things up on the West Coast. Considered the bad boys of the Western
Lacrosse Association, Maple Ridge was placed on a good conduct bond
and threatened with expulsion from the league if they incurred any
suspensions for late-game fighting in the last two-thirds of the
season or playoffs.
The Burrards banded together and took
out the two teams who have dominated the league over the last decade,
beating first the New Westminster Salmonbellies then the reigning
Mann Cup champion Victoria Shamrocks to win the west.
Maple Ridge will arrive in Six Nations
as decided underdogs because they don't boast players with the name
recognition the Chiefs do. Of course, the Six Nations players have
earned their recognition. Now the Burrards believe it's their time to
do the same. On the biggest stage in the sport, Maple Ridge and Six
Nations will clash in what is certain to be an intense and physical
series. The winner will earn the Mann Cup and with it bragging rights
as the best team in Canada.
Series Schedule
All games at 8 pm at the Iroquois
Lacrosse Arena
Friday Sept 9
Saturday Sept 10
Monday Sept 12
Tuesday Sept 13
Wednesday Sept 14*
Friday Sept 16*
Saturday Sept 17*
*if necessary
