The regular season is dwindling down and teams are really stepping up their game to try and get ahead in the Canadian Lacrosse League standings. Currently there is a three team log jam for second place and the sixth and final playoff spot is still undecided. With only one week left to go in the regular season, it’s going to come down the final weekend of play. Here are the CLax Power Rankings after week 12.
#1 The Niagara Lock Monsters 11-3
Niagara wrapped up their regular season this weekend by splitting their final two games and were riding an eight game win streak into week 12. On Saturday the Lock Monsters blew the Blizzard right out of the building, defeating them 21-9 in a game they dominated from start to finish. Barrie is at the bottom of the CLax pile but this was still a strong performance by Niagara and they would have destroyed any opponent on this night. They were led by league leading scorer Corey Fowler who had 4 goals and 4 assists while setting a single season points record in the process. Fowler finishes the regular season with 80 points which is 8 points better than the previous season high set last year by Chris Attwood. On Sunday the Niagara Lock Monsters lost 14-12 in a close battle with the Brampton Inferno, thus ending their 9 game win streak in the process. Niagara has a bye to the final four which will be held April 20th at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena.
#2 The Brampton Inferno 8-5
Brampton played their best road game of the year on Sunday when they beat Niagara 14-12. This game was back and forth all night and it showed us that the Inferno can play with the best and are strong contenders for this year’s Creators Cup. Coady Adamson and Pat Saunders each had 2 goals and 4 assists while Jay Preece looked sharp in net making 38 saves. Brampton will use this momentum as they try to play spoiler on Friday night against the Iroquois Ironmen, a team fighting for the final playoff spot. This game is a makeup game from earlier in the season and will be held at the Toronto Rock practice facility in Oakville Ontario.
#3 The Durham TurfDogs 7-6
The TurfDogs have won two in a row including a convincing 14-9 win on Sunday in Barrie. Durham has had an up and down season but with one game left on their schedule they will look to finish strong and carry that momentum into the post season. Eric Bissell, John St. John and Todd Collins each had 2 goals and 1 assists in the win; a great example of how well balanced this team Durham team is.
#4 Toronto Shooting Stars 8-5
Toronto was idle this weekend and that is the main reason why they sit fourth in the power rankings. The Shooting Stars have lost three of their last four but have the potential to go far in the playoffs if they can play as a team. Toronto travels to Barrie on Sunday for their last regular season game; a game that will play a big factor in where they finish in the standings.
#5 The Ohsweken Demons 8-6
The Demons looked rough at times on Friday as they barely squeaked out a 15-14 win versus the basement dwelling Iroquois Ironmen. The Demons are a scary team though and the defending champions have a great shot at repeating this year. They have tons of fire power and several guys who can score from anywhere. Wayne VanEvery had 3 goals and 6 assists on Friday which gives him 68 points on the year. Although they are ranked 5th in the week 12 power rankings, this is a team to look out for when the post season begins in a couple of weeks.
#6 The Iroquois Ironmen 2-10
The Ironmen lost this weekend but had a strong showing against the powerhouse Demons in the 15-14 loss. Iroquois is fighting for their playoff lives and it will all come down to next weekend; the final week of the CLax regular season. If Iroquois can win both games they will guarantee themselves a berth in the post season.
#7 The Barrie Blizzard 2-11
Barrie had a tough weekend once again as they lost both games including a blowout loss on the road versus Niagara. The Blizzard were destroyed by the Lock Monsters 21-9 and watched their playoff hopes fade in the process. Their fate is now in the hands of the Ironmen as they wait to see if their last game of the season on Sunday will even mean anything. If the Ironmen win on Friday and Saturday then the Blizzard will automatically be eliminated from entering the post season. If the Ironmen split their weekend, then all Barrie has to do is win and they’re in.
The final week of the Canadian Lacrosse League promises to be an exciting one as we watch all of these storylines play out. You can listen to Saturday’s game between the Iroquois Ironmen and the Durham TurfDogs live at 2pm on the Lacrosse Radio Network. The link can be found at the top of the In Lacrosse We Trust homepage.
