Week 3 of the Canadian Lacrosse League season was a light one, as there was just one game on the schedule. The Southwest Cyclops traveled to the ILA to take on the Ohsweken Demons in a battle of two undefeated teams. Both the Cyclops and the Demons where coming off impressive victories in their single game of action, and both showed on Friday that they have the capability of being top teams in the Canadian Lacrosse League. With so little action this past week, there isn’t much movement in the Rankings, however for the third straight week, we have a new number 1 seed.
#1 Ohsweken Demons (2-0)
Last Week: 10-9 Win over Southwest
The Demons move into the number one spot, after a 10-9 defeat over the Southwest Cyclops. Veteran and former NLL star Roger Vyse led the way offensively for the Demons on Friday night, recording 2 goals & 4 assists for 6 points, after missing the Demons season opener last Sunday against Niagara. Tom Montour and Torrey VanEvery continued to produce offensively for the Demons as Montour picked up 2 points on Friday, while VanEvery found the back of the net on four occasions. The Demons again got strong goaltending from Jake Henhawk, as he improves his record to 2-0. With the Demons defense holding the opposition to less then 10 goals for the second straight week and the offence producing at a potent clip, its going to very hard to knock of the Ohsweken Demons this season, as the possess immense talent throughout the lineup, at both ends of the floor. The Demons are off this upcoming week, and see there next action on Friday, February 6th, when they host the Barrie Blizzard.
#2 Southwest Cyclops (1-1)
Last Week: 10-9 Loss to Ohsweken
Despite the Week 3 loss to the undefeated Ohsweken Demons, the Southwest Cyclops are quickly establishing themselves as an elite team in the Canadian Lacrosse League. The Cyclops first action this season was a 13-11 win over the Barrie Blizzard, and despite the narrow one goal loss to Ohsweken, the Cyclops actually led on four separate occasions throughout the game. Southwest is showing they can not only compete with the best the Canadian Lacrosse League has to offer, but that they are on the same level as them. Jay Preece took the loss in goal for the Cyclops despite a valiant effort. The Cyclops goaltending looks to be in fine form in the hands of the two veteran goaltenders that are likely to share the reigns in goal this season. Jordan Critch continues to produce at a solid pace, picking up three more points this past weekend, to give him 7 points on the season, which leads the Cyclops in scoring. With potent offensive names such as Dan Keane, Mike Burke and Dylan Webster, Ryan Macgregor is quickly making a name for himself at the offensive end of the floor, picking up a goal and 2 assists this past weekend, after recording a hat trick in the Cyclops season opener. Transitionally and defensively the Cyclops look solid, if they can put forth a consistent effort through the full 60 minutes, and not allow teams to put together extended runs, the Cyclops should find themselves back in the win column soon enough. Southwest is next in action this Saturday, when they host the Niagara Lockmonsters in their home opener.
#3 Barrie Blizzard (1-1)
Last Week: Not in Action
Like the remaining three teams in the power rankings, the Barrie Blizzard had the weekend off, but will get back at things this Sunday when they host the Durham Turfdogs, whom they picked up two points against in Oshawa on January 17th. Barrie has been getting strong offensive performances out of their top guns in Brad Levick, Shane Scott, Mike Teeter, Mike Mawdsley and Cam Monroe. That coupled with their excellent pressure defense and sound goaltending from veteran Angus Dineley and you can see why the Blizzard are a threat in the Canadian Lacrosse League this season. While the Blizzard have yet to play their best lacrosse for a full 60 minutes, as the teams conditioning starts to set in expect the Blizzard to be a handful at both ends of the floor. Look for the Blizzard offense to get another offensive boost this coming weekend as the recently signed Scott DeFrancesco should make his season debut for Barrie against his former team the Durham Turfdogs. DeFrancesco is a veteran of the Canadian Lacrosse League, recording 96 points in 33 career games.
#4 Durham Turfdogs (1-1)
Last Week: Not in Action
A dreadful start to their last game against the Barrie Blizzard ultimately cost them in the end, as they where unable to climb back from the early 8-2 deficit. The Turfdogs are another team that despite sitting at 1-1, have yet to piece together a full 60 minute effort. Consistency is an issue with a number of teams early on, as is conditioning, which will likely play a factor once again in the Turfdogs next action this coming Sunday. Cole Murray was excellent in goal in the Turfdogs season opener against Niagara, but was less then impressive in his start against Barrie, being pulled in favor of Kevin Croswell early on. Croswell, who is a veteran goalie with a boatload of NLL experience, looked shaky early on as well, but settled down in the second half of the game. The Turfdogs will need to find consistency in goal if they want to enjoy any success this season. The Turfdogs where without offensive players Nic Grasby and Coady Adamson in their loss to the Blizzard in Week 2, expect both to make a return to the lineup this weekend, which should allow Durham to become much more potent on the offensive side of the ball. Mark Farthing left the Turfdogs last game early, and with his concussion history this may be cause for concern for the Turfdogs, if he is unable to go, Durham will need the likes of Aaron Brown, Pete Rennie and Scott Gamble to step up their game at the defensive end of the floor.
#5 Niagara Lockmonsters (0-2)
Last Week: Not in Action
It still feels weird for me ranking the Lockmonsters last in the Canadian Lacrosse League power rankings, but considering they’re the only winless team in league, it’s the only place for them at this point. Lets get things straight here, while Niagara is winless, they are by know means a bottom feeding, pushover of a team. This teams boasts a ton of talent in goal and at both ends of the floor. With a matchup with the Southwest Cyclops on the horizon expect a hungry Niagara squad to invade the Syl Apps Community Centre on Saturday night. Looks for offensive catalysts Corey Fowler and Brendan Thenhaus to continue their strong starts to the season, while Niagara will look to get more out of the likes of Dylan Llord, Todd Kozak and Brad Favero, all three of whom have showed potent offensive ability in the past. The transition and defensive play improved from Week 1 to Week 2 and we should expect it to once again improve in Week 4 of the season as the Lockmonsters will have had nearly two full weeks of potential practice time. As the team begins to gel, expect the Lockmonsters to quickly rise up the CLAX power rankings and more importantly the CLAX regular season standings.
