Week Four of the Canadian Lacrosse League season saw four of the five teams competing with the undefeated Ohsweken Demons having the weekend off. The Southwest Cyclops used a nine goal run to defeat the Niagara Lockmonsters, who are still winless on the season, while the Durham Turfdogs moved to 2-1 on the season after rallying from three goals down early on in the game to defeat the Barrie Blizzard on their home turf. It’s easy to see the parity between the league’s five clubs early on in the season—even the Niagara Lockmonsters, who sit at 0-3, are still legitimate contenders for the Creators Cup in 2015, as let’s not forget, they are the defending champs. Southwest has used their potent offense and strong veteran goaltending to become arguably the league’s top team, while the likes of Durham and Barrie continue to piece together efforts at times that show they could take a run at the league title in 2015. Ohsweken seems to have a very marginal edge over the other four teams in the league, combining youth and veteran leadership, along with skill, strength, and strong goaltending to currently sit first place in the Canadian Lacrosse League.
#1 Ohsweken Demons (2-0)
Last Week: Did Not Play
The top team in the Canadian Lacrosse League standings, did not see action this past weekend. However after two straight wins over Niagara and Southwest, where they were able to keep both potent offenses under 10 goals, the Demons seem to have a marginal edge on the other four CLAX clubs. Ohsweken have gotten strong goaltending out of veteran Jake Henhawk, who currently sits with a 0.731 save percentage. Combine that with strong defensive play and goal scoring depth and you have a team that is very balanced and can hurt you in many ways. The Demons have an excellent balance of youth and veteran leadership, combine that with the winning mentality numerous players on the team have, having won Minto Cups, Founders Cups and Mann Cups and you see why the Demons are such a strong club in the Canadian Lacrosse League. Transition stud Tom Montour currently leads the Demons offensively, having racked up 3 goals and 5 assists for 8 points in 2 games. Torrey Van Every has been producing goals at a rapid pace, potting 6 goals in just 2 games, while Rodd Squire has also been impressive for the Demons through two games. Up next for the Demons is a Friday night matchup with the Barrie Blizzard.
#2 Southwest Cyclops (2-1)
Last Week: 12-9 Win over Niagara
While the Southwest Cyclops found themselves down 7-3 heading into half time on Saturday against the Niagara Lockmonsters, the Cyclops found their scoring touch in a big way in the second half of the game, rattling off 9 straight goals to take the lead, and eventually the game. Jay Preece picked up the win in goal for the Cyclops, and currently sits with a 0.737 save percentage on the season. Southwest has been getting solid goaltending out of both Preece and veteran Grant Crawley, and while the team’s strength may lay in their offensive ability, the defense and goaltending deserves full credit in their efforts. Mike Burke led all Cyclops offensively on Saturday night, picking up a ridiculous 9 points on 2 goals and 7 assists. Burke’s 9 point performance allowed him to take over the CLAX scoring lead, holding a one point advantage over Durham Turfdogs sniper, Jesse Guerin. Vancouver Stealth draft pick Dan Keane also had another impressive showing, potting 3 goals and 3 assists for 6 points, while Toronto Rock draft pick Brady Heseltine also had a strong offensive performance, recording 2 goals & 2 assists for 4 points. The Cyclops offensive depth has really allowed them to thrive early on in the season, with a game against the Durham Turfdogs up next this Saturday, the Cyclops could exploded offensively again, as the Turfdogs have had issues in goal early on.
#3 Durham Turfdogs (2-1)
Last Week: 14-10 Win over Barrie
While the Durham Turfdogs didn’t get off to the greatest start on Sunday afternoon, finding themselves down 4-1, they were able to pick up their play towards the end of the first quarter and into the second half. The Turfdogs rattled off seven straight goals to take an 8-6 lead in to half. Durham would go on another run in the 3rd quarter, potting four straight goals to put the game out of reach. While the Blizzard would make a game of things, the Turfdogs ultimately picked up the 14-10 win. The Turfdogs got strong offensive performances from a number of players on Sunday afternoon as Geoff McNulty (4 PTS), Coady Adamson (3 PTS), Dylan Goddard (5 PTS), Tim Bergin (5 PTS), Josh Wasson (6 PTS), and John St. John (4 PTS) all had one of, if not their best offensive performances of the year. Jesse Guerin would lead the offensive charge however, picking up 3 goals and 5 assists for 8 points on the afternoon. The Turfdogs played a rough, physical brand of defensive lacrosse and seemingly got the Blizzard off their game, as Scott DeFrancesco, Shane Scott and Jayson Crawford for visibly upset numerous times. While Kevin Croswell picked up the win, goaltending still seems to be a cause for concern with the Turfdogs, as despite the win, it was not a strong performance from Croswell. At this point the Turfdogs goaltending isn’t costing them games, but its certainly not winning them games either. Up next for Durham is a Saturday afternoon home game against the Southwest Cyclops.
#4 Barrie Blizzard (1-2)
Last Week: 14-10 Loss to Durham
Barrie got off to another quick start against the Durham Turfdogs in Week 4 action, however this time they where unable to hold the lead, as Durham’s offense was to much to handle on Sunday afternoon. The Blizzard are right there with the top teams in the Canadian Lacrosse League, a bounce here and there and the Blizzard could easily be 3-0 right now. With the recent additions of Mike Teeter and Scott DeFrancesco the Blizzard get even more potent offensively, while remaining strong on the backend and in goal. The Blizzard play a physical, in your face defense that tends to get under players’ skin—every game the Blizzard have played thus far this season has been a chippy one, and they seem to like it that way. While Barrie may be a sub .500 team after four weeks of action, don’t expect them to continue to rack up the losses as they are just simply too good to go on an extended losing streak. Angus Dineley had an off game in goal for Barrie, while leading score Brad Levick was unable to muster up much offensively Sunday, picking up just 1 assist. The diminutive spark plug, Mike Teeter led the Blizzard offensively this past week, picking up 4 points on a goal and 3 assists. Mike Mawdsley also had a strong offensive showing, picking up 2 goals and 1 assist, while Scott DeFrancesco made his Barrie Blizzard debut, finding twine twice over the course of the game. Barrie travels to Ohsweken this Friday hoping to improve their record to 2-2.
#5 Niagara Lockmonsters (0-3)
Last Week: 12-9 Loss to Southwest
The defending champs dropped their third straight game this past weekend, losing 12-9 to the Southwest Cyclops. While the Lockmonsters where actually up 7-3 at half, they allowed the Cyclops to go on a ridiculous 9 goal run. Stating the obvious, the run was what cost them the game. The Lockmonsters boast a strong unit of defenders and two strong goaltenders, so how they lost is all that more shocking. Things just do not seem to be going Niagara’s way this season, after everything seemingly went their way last season. Their offense, the possesses several potent offensive threats, just does not seem to be clicking, their defense looks to be in shambles at times, and they cannot find consistency in net. Is it to early to throw in the towel, absolutely. But things need to change, and in a hurry. Brock Levick appeared in his first game for Niagara this season, and was a bright spot, picking up 4 points on 1 goal and 3 assists. Dylan Llord seemed to break out offensively as well, with 4 points in the loss to Southwest, after being relatively quite threw the first two games of the season. The Lockmonsters are off this weekend, and will look to regroup before their next game, which goes February 15th against the Southwest Cyclops.
