Entering week 1 of the Canadian Lacrosse League season, we saw four of the five teams in action, with the Ohsweken Demons sitting idle. With last year’s Creators Cup Champion Niagara Lock Monsters taking on the only team to miss the playoffs in 2014 in the Durham Turfdogs, many expected a Niagara win. However that was not the case, as the Turfdogs controlled the game from start to finish, picking up a 10-4 victory, equalling their previous seasons win total in their first game of the season. Finally the Southwest Cyclops traveled to Barrie to take on the Blizzards in the final game of the weekend. The game was a game of runs, as the Cyclops jumped out to 3-0 and 7-2 leads, despite Barrie’s best effort in responding to Southwest’s run’s they where unable to muster up enough to overcome the early defecits and ultimately fell by a score of 13-11.
#1 Durham Turfdogs (1-0)
Last Week: 10-4 W over Niagara
The Durham Turfdogs entered Saturday afternoon’s matchup with the defending champs looking to kick the season off on a positive note, and while they did pick up the 10-4 win, the most impressive part in the victory, was how they controlled the pace of the game. The Turfdogs carried the momentum, dictated the play and really dominated the Lockmosters at both ends of the floor. Cole Murray played superb in goal for the Turfdogs, picking up his first win of the year. With question marks surrounding Durham’s goaltending, Murray may have answered those questions and put critics to rest, as he was large reason why the Turfdogs were able to limit Niagara to just 4 goals. Former Buffalo Bandit Kyle Clancy led the team offensively in Week 1, picking up 6 points on a goal and 5 assists. The offense seemed to really be clicking for Durham, as Jesse Guerin, Geoff McNulty, Josh Wasson, Tim Bergin and Nic Grasby all had multiple point games. Defensively the likes of Aaron Brown, Mark Farthing and Scott Gamble really stood out, as Brown and Farthing excelled both defensively and in transition, while Gamble’s physical play at the defensive end did not go unnoticed.
#2 Southwest Cyclops (2-0)
Last Week: 13-11 W over Barrie
The Southwest Cyclops used a strong first quarter performance to power past the Barrie Blizzard in opening weekend action. The Cyclops jumped out to a 3-0 lead just 6:14 into the game, and subsequently would go up by a score of 6-3 by the time the 1st quarter buzzer sounded. While the Cyclops and Blizzards would spend the game going back and forth, going on 3 and 4 goal runs, it was the Cyclops who had the last laugh, as the hole the Blizzards dug early on was to much to overcome. Vancouver Stealth draft pick Dan Kean would pot 4 goals for the Cyclops, while former Buffalo Bandit would lead the Cyclops offensively with 2 goals & 3 assists in the victory. Grant Crawley picked up the win for Southwest, as he showed well in first start after being acquired from the Niagara Lockmonsters in the off-season. The Cyclops bring a potent offense and a ton of transition speed and skill, if they’re able to make less frequent trips to the penalty box, the team could be tough to handle moving forward.
#3 Ohsweken Demons (0-0)
Last Week: Did Not Play
While the Ohsweken Demons where idle during opening week of the CLAX season, they do possess a roster filled with top notch talent, and that, coupled with the fact they are yet to technically lose, is the reason they sit number 3 in our power rankings. The Demons have lost leading scorer Chris Attwood to the NLL’s Rochester Knighthawks, but do return the likes of NLL veteran Roger Vyse, potent offensive threat Wayne Van Every, Six Nations Chiefs transition star Tom Montour, and defensive stalwart Travis Hill. Added to that already impressive roster are the likes of youngsters Ty Thompson, Anthony Patterson, Wenster Green and goaltender Chase Martin. Also expect the likes of Ian Martin and Joe Maracle to play larger roles on the Demons this season. With so much talent and starting goaltender Jake Henhawk, who went 4-0 last season returning, it may only be a matter of time before the Demons move up to #1 in our power rankings.
#4 Barrie Blizzard (0-1)
Last Week: 13-11 L to Southwest
While the Barrie Blizzard made a valiant come back effort against the Southwest Cyclops, they could not overcome a first quarter deficit that had them playing from behind, right from the get go. The Blizzard where able to use a strong 2nd quarter effort to trim the Cyclops lead to just one goal, however a poor start to the 3rd quarter, that’s saw Southwest rattle off 4 straight goals, again put Barrie behind the 8-ball. If Barrie is able to get off to a better start this coming week against the Durham Turfdogs, they do have the offensive ability and goaltending to beat teams, however playing from behind is not something Barrie wants to get used to. New England Black Wolves 4th round pick in the 2014 draft, Mike Mawdsley led the Blizzard offensively, picking up 3 goals & 2 assists for 5 points. Brad Levick wasn’t far behind, picking up 3 goals & 1 assists for 4 points, while Shane Scott also had an impressive effort, picking up 2 goals & 1 assist. Angus Dineley took the loss in goal for Barrie, despite a strong effort. Look for Dineley and Rance Vigneux to likely split starts in goal for the Blizzard this season.
#5 Niagara Lockmonsters (0-1)
Last Week: 10-4 L to Durham
Last year’s Creators Cup Champions, likely won’t find themselves in the basement of the CLAX power rankings for very long. However after an uninspiring effort Saturday afternoon against the Durham Turfdogs, the basement is where they find themselves. While at times you could see the elite skill of the Lockmonsters club, at other times the offense seemed to rusty and unable to string together any consistent effort. The defensive core boast the likes of many top defenders in the Canadian Lacrosse League, however they struggled at times on picks and rolls, and with their switches defensively. Between the pipes Connor Danko didn’t exactly have the start he had hoped for, although he did pick up his game after struggling in the first quarter. The area’s that Niagara struggled with in week one, are area’s that can quickly be worked on, and area’s that will only improve as the team continues to gel as a unit. A team with so much skill, its hard for me to see them going on any sort of lengthy losing streak. Former Buffalo Bandit & Toronto Rock offensive player Brendan Thenhaus would lead Niagara offensively on Saturday, picking up 2 assists. Bryan Campbell, Dustin Gatt, Mark Vradenburg and Andy Tober where the lone Lockmonster goal scorers. Things don’t get much easier for Niagara in week 2, as they welcome the Ohsweken Demons to the Meridian Centre for Sunday afternoon affair.
