The Canadian Lacrosse League Final Four will take place today in Hagersville Ontario at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena (ILA). Game 1 will go at 1pm and as the sixth seeded Iroquois Ironmen battle the first place Niagara Lock Monsters. This game will feature seven of the league’s top 25 scorers with six of them being from the Lock Monsters.
Niagara’s Corey Fowler led the league with 32 goals and 48 assists; a new CLax record. Fowler was also named a second team all-star earlier this week and has 30 points (8 goals 22 assists) in his last five games. Fowler’s teammate Andrew Potter was right behind him in second place with 79 points on the year (31g 48a). Potter’s skill earned him a spot on the 1st team all-star list plus he was named the CLax Offensive Player of the Year. Potter and Fowler now share the CLax record for most assists (48) in a single season which they obviously both set this year.
Niagara also boasts one of the best goalies in pro lacrosse; Connor Danko was named Rookie of the Year, Goaltender of the Year and was also named a 1st team all-star. Danko was 7-1 this year and now shares the single season wins record set last year by Ohsweken Demon netminder Jeff Powless.
On the other side, the Ironmen have one of the best goal scorers in pro lacrosse in Chris Attwood. He last season’s regular season scoring leader and he’s the all-time points leader in the Canadian Lacrosse League. He was named a 2nd team all-star this season and it’ll be interesting to see who wins the battle between him and Danko.
The second game of the Final Four features two very evenly matched teams and is one of the most anticipated games of the year. The Toronto Shooting Stars are ranked second while the Durham TurfDogs are seeded fifth but they finished just two points apart in the standings. Both teams are very balanced and neither one has had to rely on just one or two guys to be successful this season.
Toronto has several guys who can step up on any given night including Aaron Grayson, Brad Levick, Josh Wasson and 1st team all-star Mack O’Brien. Grayson missed a few games this year due to work commitments but when he was in the lineup he made his presence felt at both ends of the floor. Grayson can score, fight and dish the ball which spells trouble for any opponent.
The TurfDogs lineup is loaded with snipers who can pick corners way from outside. Shane Scott has arguably the hardest shot in the league and can score from anywhere on the floor. Scott doesn’t just rely on his cannon either; he drives to the net often and has scored some nice diving through the crease goals as well. Captain Mitch Dumont is a 2nd team all-star and one of the best two way players in the CLax. Dumont has a great work ethic and a never give up attitude which are skills you can’t teach a player.
Goaltending might play a major factor in this game and could be the deciding factor down the stretch. Durham has Kevin Croswell between the pipes and many believe that he’s the best goalie in the league. Connor Danko took home all the hardware but keep in mind that Croswell didn’t enter the CLax until mid March which obviously put him at his huge disadvantage. Croswell started the season in the National Lacrosse League with the Philadelphia Wings but was released prior to the trade deadline; he is 3-0 since being picked up by the TurfDogs. Toronto on the other hand lost their number one goalie back in March; ironically to the Philadelphia Wings. They’ve struggled to find a number one goalie since then but it’s expected that Gary Muzzin will get the nod in this semi final game. Muzzin had a 1-3 record in the regular season.
There is tons of excitement surrounding Saturday’s Final Four and the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena should be rocking all day. Weekend passes (which include access to Sunday’s Creator’s Cup final) are $20 per adult and $5 for students and seniors. Children 12 and under are free with a paying adult. Single game tickets are $10 per adult or $5 for students and seniors.
Saturday’s 1pm Final Four game between the Iroquois Ironmen and the Niagara Lock Monsters can be heard on 2hr tape delay while the Durham TurfDogs vs the Toronto Shooting Stars will be live at 4pm; both on The Lacrosse Radio Network. The radio link can be found at the top of the In Lacrosse We Trust homepage.
