After a first place finish during their inaugural season in the Canadian Lacrosse League (CLax) resulted a disappointing semi-final loss for the Niagara Lock Monsters, the squad entered the 2014 season looking to cement a position as a CLax powerhouse. Niagara was able to accomplish this goal, capturing the 2014 Creator’s Cup with a thrilling 10-9 overtime defeat of the Oshweken Demons.
Niagara finished second in the regular season standings behind Oshweken (7-1) after posting a 6-2 record. The Lock Monsters’ two notches in the loss column were both courtesy of the Demons, dropping back-to-back February match-ups by scores of 14-11 and 13-8.
The Lock Monsters would grind out a pair of one-goal wins en route to being crowned CLax champions.
Niagara managed to clinch a spot in the finals after a 9-8 win over the Barrie Blizzard. Despite gaining an early lead, the Lock Monsters scored just twice in the second half as a late goal from Bryan Neufeld would silence a mounting Blizzard comeback and cement the Niagara victory.
The Creator’s Cup finals versus Oshweken came in the form of a blossoming CLax rivalry. Niagara entered the game with an 0-2 deficit in the season series, winning just one of five games versus the Demons. The Lock Monsters would need a fourth quarter rally to escape a 9-5 deficit late in regulation, before Kavan Sullivan’s overtime tally would give Niagara a 10-9 victory.
Lock Monsters goalie Dave DiRuscio put together a magnificent rookie campaign between the pipes. The 6’4″ tender finished with a 3-1 record and a 7.95 goals against average in the regular season, before turning aside 106 of 123 shots faced while tending the twine for both of Niagara’s playoff victories. DiRuscio was recently honored with a pair of CLax awards, Goaltender of the Year and Most Valuable Player, for his stellar play in 2014. This marks the second year in a row a rookie Niagara netminder took home top goaltender honors, with Connor Danko (2-1 W-L, 10.55 GAA in 2014) previously earning such accolades.
DiRuscio was backed by a rock solid Niagara defensive core that allowed a league fewest 70 goals against, giving up just eight in two playoff games. The Lock Monsters defense was anchored by mid-season pick up Scott Gamble, dispersal draft acquisition Connor Daly, and two-time transition player of the week Jon Arnold.
Andrew Potter led the Lock Monsters offensively during the regular season. The 2013 CLax Offensive Player of the Year posted 40 points (14 G, 26 A) in eight games, trailing 2014 Most Outstanding Player Chris Attwood for the league lead.
Corey Fowler saw a significant drop in point production after setting CLax records with 80 points (32 G, 48 A) and being named 2013’s Most Outstanding Player. Despite a decrease in offensive prowess, Fowler followed Potter in Niagara scoring racking up 33 points (10 G, 23 A) to round out the top five among CLax scorers.
The dynamic duo reversed roles during the post-season, with Fowler’s eight points (3 G, 5 A) leading all Lock Monsters in playoff scoring while Potter trailed closely behind with seven points (2 G, 5 A). Bryan Neufeld and Brad Favero each had six points (2 G, 4 A) during Niagara’s playoff run.
The Lock Monsters finalized their victorious 2014 campaign with an exhibition game versus the the CLax All-Stars, dropping a 19-16 decision.
