The Canadian Lacrosse League opens their 2014 season today as the Barrie Blizzard head to Niagara to face the Lock Monsters. Last year Niagara defeated Barrie in both of their games, which was a good representation of the struggles the Blizzard faced in 2013.
The Blizzard roster is no doubt stronger in 2014 with the addition of Aaron Grayson from Toronto and the return of Caleb Wiles and Jason Mainer, along with former NLL player Geoff McNulty. In their two games against each other last season, Barrie scored just 14 goals on the Lock Monsters.
Niagara brings in eight players who took home the Sr B President’s Cup with the Saint Catharines Saints. Their offense is led by the 2013 leading scorer in the league Corey Fowler and Andrew Potter, a first team all star.
Their goaltending is led by Connor Danko, their goaltender of last season, and rookie David DiRuscio who is the starting goaltender of the Coquitlam Adanacs of the Western Lacrosse Association.
Mitch Dumont is back with the Monsters along with Dan Williams and Brad Favero. Tim Bergin, the leading scorer of the Quebec Senior Lacrosse League, is a new addition of the Lock Monsters.
The Blizzard will have the three headed monster of Scott Komer, Steve Mathers and Derek Collins defending their net. Komer and Collins are likely to split time.
Game time is 2 pm ET today in Niagara. The Lock Monsters return tomorrow with a contest against the Durham Turf Dogs.
