After capturing three consecutive Mann Cup championships during the nineties, the Six Nations Chiefs established themselves as a senior A lacrosse dynasty. However, in years following this incredible streak the team failed to return to the league finals until the 2012 season, where they would lose the Major Series Lacrosse (MSL) title to the eventual Mann Cup champion Peterborough Lakers. The Chiefs will look to build on momentum gained last season and capture their first Mann Cup title in over fifteen years.
Six Nations will be led by three offensive juggernauts in Colin Doyle, Rhys Duch and Cody Jamieson, all of whom are coming off of outstanding National Lacrosse League (NLL) seasons. Doyle will be entering this summer with an already hot-hand, as his 2013 season proved his most impressive offensive output in recent years, finishing with 84 points. Duch notched 45 tallies for the Washington Stealth this season earning his first NLL goal scoring title and was named First Team All-Pro for the third time in his career. Also, Duch is currently leading all active post-season scorers with 13 points heading into the Champion’s Cup final. Jamieson managed to lead his Rochester Knighthawks in all major offensive categories for the second consecutive year, with his 89 points and 61 assists representing career totals for the young star.
While the Chiefs’ overwhelming offense will pose a problem for many defenses across the league, the Six Nations back end is not to be ignored. The defensive core of the Chiefs is composed of some of the games best defensive stars, such as Sid Smith (Rochester Knighthawks) and Rory Smith (Colorado Mammoth). Additionally, many Six Nations’ defensemen such as Rob Marshall (Toronto Rock) and Kedoh Hill (Buffalo Bandits), are dangerous transitional threats.
Mike Poulin and Brandon Miller will split time between the pipes for Six Nations. Poulin saw a majority starts last season, finishing with a 7-4 regular season record before leading all MSL goalies with a post-season goals against average of 6.51. As the starting goaltender for the Calgary Roughnecks, Poulin registered 9 wins, good for second-best in the league behind Toronto goalie Nick Rose. Miller finished fifth amongst NLL goalies in saves with 556, as the Philadelphia Wings starter earned his first Second Team All-Pro selection.
Six Nations will open their season at home Saturday, May 25th when the Kitchener-Waterloo Kodiaks visit the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena.
Check back with In Lacrosse We Trust for all your latest lax news.
