The April edition of InLax Magazine saw Pat Gregoire take a look at the Toronto Shooting Stars historic stadium.
Kaleb Toth’s legendary 2000 NLL Championship winning goal against the Rochester Knighthawks would be known as the last professional goal scored at the Maple Leaf Garden. That is until lacrosse returned to the newly revamped MLG, now called the Mattamy Athletic Centre.
The MAC has become the new home of the Canadian Lacrosse League expansion team the Toronto Shooting Stars, who currently sit in second place.
“It’s been really cool,” said Toronto offensive player Brad Levick. “Even with the total renovation done there it still feels like your in the Gardens. Just walking into the building is pretty cool with all the memorabilia all over the walls.”
A great potential has arose to bringing back a championship to the floor of the historic Maple Leaf Gardens. The well balanced offensive attack, with an athletic defense and arguably the best goaltending in the league has created a great recipe to make Toronto one of the favourites to become the second Creator’s Cup champions.
“Our coaches have also pushed us to play at a high pace all year and it has really paid off for us,” added Levick. “Every game we’ve won this year has been because we out ran the other team.”
The balanced offense is lead by Levick, Mack O’Brien and Aaron Grayson who have combined for 111 points so far in the 2013 season. The Shooting Stars lost a key part up front as sharpshooter Derek Hopcroft was called up to the big leagues to play for the Buffalo Bandits of the NLL. Since being called up, the Toronto Beaches Jr.A product has found the back of the cage three times while adding three assists.
The roster of the Shooting Stars took another blow as their starting goaltender Angus Dinely has joined the Philadelphia Wings of the NLL. Before his departure, Dinely was the front runner for goaltender of the year leading all netminders in goals against average (9.57), tied for wins and third in save percentage. These two players are fine examples how CLax is becoming an elite developmental league for the NLL.
The Shooting Stars are not hitting the panic button as they are confident in the goaltenders that remain in Toronto. The Shooting Stars tenders of the twine are now Craig Robertson, former Durham Turfdog Gary Muzzin and St.Catharines’ product Cameron Watts.
“Dinely has been unreal all year and it’s unfortunate to see him go,” said Levick. “But we’re totally confident in our goalies that they can get the job done.”
Robertson picked up his first win of the season against Iroquois while stopping 40 of 49 Ironmen shots.
As elite players leave, other players such as Levick will arise for the Shooting Stars. The Elmira grad has already stepped up posting 15 points in three games without Hopcroft.
The season has already been historic for Toronto with the reopening of the Maple Leaf Gardens, but the history making is not over yet as Coach Glenn Clark and the Shooting Stars look to bring the first championship to the Canadian sports mecca in 13 years.
