Major Series Lacrosse in 2013 has been led by the Lakers and Chiefs pretty much throughout, and as the Chiefs win their tenth straight, they stay on the top.
1. Six Nations (11-1-1)
Six Nations continued its Major Series Lacrosse domination extending their unbeaten streak to ten games. The Chiefs offensive power has been a key ingredient to their success as they have had no problem filling the net in the 2013 season. The Chiefs have four players in the MSL top 10 scoring in Roger Vyse (50), Colin Doyle (49) and Cody Jamieson (47). There is no surprise that Jamieson and Doyle find themselves near the top of the scoring leaders list, however many may be surprised to find Vyse’s name on that list. The 32-year-old is en route to his best MSL season since the 2010 campaign where he posted 58 points in 16 games. While Six Nations has filled the net all season, they have done an outstanding job keeping the ball out of their own cage. Netminder Evan Kirk currently leads the league in goals against average (7.33) and wins (11). Six Nations will take on the surging Kodiaks of Kitchener-Waterloo on Tuesday night and the second place Peterborough Lakers on Saturday night at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena.
2.Peterborough (9-4-0)
Despite being in second with a solid 9-4-0 record, the Peterborough Lakers will have to tighten up their defense if they hope to repeat Mann Cup champions. The Lakers have had no problem finding the back of the cage, but so far in the 2013 season they have given up the second most goals in the league with 122. There is no need to hit the panic button in Peterborough just yet as the offense has been outstanding for the Lakers in 2013. Peterborough has been led by Calgary Roughnecks star Shawn Evans. The Peterborough native currently leads the league in points (75) and assists (55) while also sitting fourth in goals (20). Evans is only six points shy of his career best season of 81 points back in 2010 when he was named Mann Cup MVP. Jordan Macintosh has also been outstanding as his 34 points have come in just seven games played.
3. Brooklin (7-5-1)
After going unbeaten in six of their first seven games, the Brooklin Redmen have lost four of their last six contests. The Redmen have suffered ugly losses to KW and Oakville, while also losing to top squads in Peterborough and Six Nations. Veteran Shawn Williams will need to continue to lead the Redmen on and off the floor as he once again is on top of the Brooklin scorers list. The 38-year-old Williams has posted 66 points (16G,50A) in 13 games. The 2012 regular season champions do not need to worry just yet as they have eight games remaining, including three games against the last place Brampton Excelsiors.
4.Kitchener-Waterloo (5-7-1)
The KW Kodiaks have been hot as of late winning two of their last three contests, with their lone loss coming in overtime to the Brooklin Redmen. KW’s Aaron Wilson has been a force in 2013 as he has buried 21 goals while adding 35 assists for 56 points.
5.Oakville (2-9-1)
Although Oakville has lost their last five games, the 2013 season has shown some promise for the future of the Rock. With a youthful roster, the season has become a learning curve to many players. Outside of leading scorer Stephan Leblanc, the top three scorers are under the age of 24. Defenders Justin Pychel, Robert Kroger, Eric Petre, Connor Daly, Mike Woods and Bryan Campbell are poised to be the future of the clubs back end. With the addition of the rights of Toronto Rock netminder Nick Rose and 2012 National Lacrosse League Rookie of the Year Adam Jones for the 2014 season, the shape of the roster for seasons to come is bulking up. Although the first season in Oakville may already be lost for the Rock, major progress has been made for the organization.
6.Brampton (2-10-0)
The Brampton Excelsiors struggles continue as they have not recorded a victory since June 13 when they defeated the KW Kodiaks by a score of 12-10. A major problem for the Excels during the 2013 season has been consistency, whether game by game or period by period. Leading the way offensively for the Excelsiors is Hamburg,NY native Joe Resetarits. In 11 games the UAlbany grad has found the cage 16 times while adding 13 assists. Close behind is Caledon,ON native Mike Burke. In just seven games played, Burke has registered 11 goals and 12 assists for 23 points. Coach Clem D’Orazio will hope to rally his troops for the remainder of the season to remove his team from the basement and get a better seeding for the playoffs in his first season in Brampton.
