The Canadian Lacrosse League announced its players of the week for week five on Tuesday night. Inclement weather in the Toronto area forced the postponement of two games Friday night but the remaining two games were played as scheduled. The Brampton Inferno improved to an even .500 on the season in a 17-13 victory over the Barrie Blizzard
Saturday afternoon. On Sunday evening, the Niagara Lock Monsters debuted pro lacrosse in St Catharines, but it was the Durham Turfdogs who spoiled the party with a 12-10 victory.
CLax has teamed up with Surge Apparel to honour the top players of the week four categories as voted on by members of the league office as well as coaches and general managers throughout the league. The Surge Apparel players of the week for week five are
Offensive Player of the Week:
Mike Teeter – Barrie Blizzard
For the second game in a row, Teeter was one of the lone bright spots in a losing effort. Mike Teeter ended the evening with six points (three goals, three assists) against Brampton. On the season, he is now averaging five points a game and sits fourth in scoring amongst players with just three games played.
Honourable Mention: Jordan Coffey – Brampton Inferno (3 goals, 1 assist)
Transition Player of the Week:
Mark Farthing – Brampton Inferno
Brampton scored a number of their seventeen goals in transition opportunities, and many of those chances were led by Mark Farthing. He also got into the act himself scoring twice and adding an assist, including one goal on the powerplay.
Honourable Mention: Corey Fowler – Niagara Lock Monsters (2 goals, 1 assist)
Defensive Player of the Week:
Zack Higgins – Durham Turfdogs
In the Sunday night game where Niagara played their home opener, it was Zack Higgins who stole the show stopping fifty-one of sixty-one shots, including many of the highlight variety down the stretch, to preserve the win for Durham. Higgins started the season as a backup for Durham, but has since proven himself as the undisputed number one.
Honourable Mention: Ben McCullough – Brampton Inferno
Rookie Player of the Week:
Dustin Caravello – Brampton Inferno
The defending Minto Cup champion has received votes in this category before, but this is Caravello’s first win. In the Inferno win over Barrie, Dustin had six points (three goals, three assists) and was also considered for the offensive award. He has seen an increased role since Brendan Doran has been out with injury.
Honourable Mention: Zack Higgins (see above), Bryan Campbell – Niagara
Lock Monsters (shutdown defense against Durham’s top scorers)
