The Six Nations Chiefs and the Kitchener-Waterloo Braves are set to begin their Major Series Lacrosse (MSL) playoff series Tuesday, July 30 at 8 p.m.
The two teams kicked off their respective regular seasons against one another with the Chiefs defeating the Braves 10-6. Six Nations were victorious in all four regular season games versus K-W, however, these wins by no means came easy. Apart from the season opener, none of the Braves’ losses to Six Nations came by more than a two goal deficit.
The Braves defense will look to shut down Six Nations’ Colin Doyle in the series. While Doyle’s offensive prowess in undeniable, the veteran seemed to have a hot stick against the Braves this season. Doyle registered 26 of his team leading 76 points in four games against K-W. Craig Point, who finished second behind Doyle in Chiefs’ scoring with 71 points, will also be a key component offensively. Tied for the team lead with three game winning goals, Doyle and Point also proved clutch against the Braves this season. In two one goal wins over K-W, Doyle netted the game winner in one with Point securing the win in the other.
Aaron Wilson will be required to carry the load offensively for K-W. Wilson led the Braves in scoring with 80 points, surpassing the team’s second highest scorer by over thirty points. K-W’s offensive output will be dependent on Wilson’s performance and a balanced attack from a youthful but talented supportive cast. Mike Teeter and Jordan Critch, who finished the season with 49 and 35 points, respectively, have been steady performers all year and will need to continue to produce offensively versus the hard nosed Chiefs defense. Corey Fowler, who began the season with the Chiefs, has been solid in the little time he has seen with 19 points in just five games with the Braves. K-W junior a star Dhane Smith provides the Braves with a needed extra scoring punch. Smith registered 22 points in seven games as a call up this season, including three goals and one assist in K-W’s recent 11-10 loss to Six Nations.
The stage is set for a goaltending battle to take place between Evan Kirk (Six Nations) and Mike Poulin (Kitchener-Waterloo) after being traded for each other prior to the season. Since the trade, both goalies have been played excellent for their respective clubs. Kirk led all goalies regular season wins with 13 while posting a 7.62 goals against average. Poulin had the highest amount of saves in the league with 374, with Kirk trailing closely behind with 353.
Scheduling for the best of seven series is as follows.
Game 1 KW @ Six Nations, July 30 8pm
Game 2 Six Nations @ KW, August 1 8pm
Game 3 KW @ Six Nations, August 6 8pm
Game 4 Six Nations @ KW, August 8 8 pm
*Game 5 KW @ Six Nations, August 11 2pm (time may change to 7pm)
*Game 6 Six Nations @ KW, August 13 8pm
*Game 7 KW @ Six Nations, August 15 8pm
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