1. Six Nations Rebels (7-0) – The Six Nations Rebels have made a big statement early in why they are favourites to win the Founders Cup for the fifth straight summer. Through seven games, the Rebels are unbeaten and have outscored their opponents 94-36. Newly acquired Garret Vyse-Square has led the Rebs offensively with 16 goals, 16 assists for 32 points. Six Nations has received solid goaltending in Briley Miller. Miller has posted a 5.14 GAA and .827 save percentage en route to winning all six starts.
2. Halton Hills Bulldogs (6-0) – Head Coach Blaine McClauley and the Halton Hills Bulldogs have started their 2015 campaign in dominant fashion winning their opening six games. With the exception of one 8-7 win over Newmarket, the Bulldogs have won each game convincingly, including a huge 11-4 win over Markham who was undefeated headed into the contest. A big part of Halton’s early dominance has been Connor Brown. Brown returned to the Bulldogs after a season with Orangeville Jr.A and he’s come back with a bang, netting 22 goals, 20 assists for 42 points in only five games. The Bulldogs defense led by captain Jamie Batten, prides themselves on a hardnosed, high pressure and athletic brand of lacrosse that leaves other offenses leaving the rink black and blue. Goaltending was the biggest question mark heading into the 2015 season, but the tandem of Dayden Patey and Ryan Schuetzkowski has proven to be solid through six games, averaging just under six goals a game.
3. Nepean Knights (6-0) – The Nepean Knights have arguably been the biggest surprise of the 2015 season thus far, winning their opening six games and taking a serious lead in the Far East Division. It hasn’t been one or two big time scorers that have led the Knights to a solid start, rather Head Coach Callum Crawford has them scoring by committee. Turner Allison(25), Ryan Fournier(24), Alan Singleton(22), Corson Kealey(22) and Carter O’Connell(22) sit atop of the team scoring list just separated by a few points. The Knights’ biggest test of the season will come on May 30th when they travel to Clairington to take on the Green Gaels.
4. Green Gaels (4-0)- The Green Gaels lost 243 points when they found out Brandon Staal, Zach Bryant and Dawson Theede wouldn’t be donning the green and white this season, but there hasn’t been a shortage of scoring in Clarington thus far in 2015. The Gaels have averaged 12.5 goals through the first four games of the season. With the Gaels losing serious goal scoring power from last year, head coach Brad MacArthur’s club has relied on scoring by committee to win ball games so far. The Gaels may not have a single player with with double digits in goals yet, but they have five players with 10 or more points through the first four games in Cam Garlin(13), Tyler Stinson(12), Jeff Fernades(12),Adam Perroni(11), Jeremy McWatters(10). In Fernades’ case, he has netted his 12 points in just two games played. Two time defender of the year Ben Pitchforth and Conor Magee will lead the d-corps while Liam Wynne and Joel Watson have split the duties in between the pipes.
5. Windsor Clippers (7-1)- They dynamic duo of Logan Holmes and Andrew Garant have helped the Windsor Clippers jump out to an impressive 7-1 start to the season. The Clippers lone loss came against a struggling Owen Sound club earlier this month. The most impressive victory for Windsor came early, taking down Orangeville 9-5 on the road.
6. Orangeville Northmen (8-1) – After losing to the aforementioned Clippers, the Northmen ripped off six straight wins. Shane Hillis has been solid for the Northmen, tallying 38 points in nine games. The split goaltending duo of Dylan O’Rouke and Rylan Hartley have mustered up a solid 6.52 GAA through nearly the first half of the season.
7. Brampton Excelsiors (5-2) – The Brampton Excelsiors have made their presence felt in their new home of the Eastern Division. Brampton has been led offensively by hometown product Will Cabrera, netting 33 points(16G,17A) in seven games. The Excelsiors opened their season with five straight games at home and are on the road for five straight games. They’ve opened their road swing with two straight wins against Oakville and Newmarket. The biggest test for Brampton will come next Saturday(May 22) as they take on Halton Hills on the road.
8. Niagara Thunderhawks (5-2)- The Niagara Thunderhawks have been on the right side of a fair amount of low scoring games this season, helping them rise to a 5-2 start to the year. Scoring has come at a premium for Niagara, as they’re averaging just over nine goals a game. But luckily for the Thunderhawks, they’ve done a fine job keeping the scoring low for their opponents, averaging just over 6 and a half goals per game. The two games the Thunderhawks allowed double digit goals resulted in losses (10-9 Elora, 11-7 Six Nations). Austin Wright and Zac Dubuc have done the majority of scoring for Niagara, as they’ve each combined for 18 goals through seven games. A big test will come tonight(May 15th) against the first place Six Nations Rebels at the ILA.
9. Markham Ironheads (5-1)- The Markham Ironheads caught the attention of the OJBLL tying a franchise best 5-0 start to the season, but they took a step back falling 11-3 to the Halton Hills Bulldogs on May 14th. The Ironheads leading scorer Paddy Morgan has been off to a hot start with 28 points in six games. The new Toronto Jr.A affiliate has helped boost the Ironheads line up with some bodies from the Beaches. Nick Ellerton, Bryce Keats and Rowan Kelly have already split time between the clubs this year. The Ironheads seem to built from the back end out once again. Matt Law and Chris Steele return to the Ironheads cage this season, looking strong and combining for a 7.67 GAA. Kyle McDermott and Matt Fountain will be two defenders Head Coach/GM Ron Reed will look to lead in the back end. The Ironheads look to bounce back Sunday(May 17) with a victory against the 1-8 Orillia Kings.
10. Akwesasne Indians (3-3)- After a rough 0-3 start, the Akwesasne Indians ripped off three straight wins, including a dominant 25-10 win over divisional foe Gloucester. Skylar Thomas leads all Akwesasne scorers with 29 points(11G,18A). Thomas Oakley returned to the lineup with a bang, recording a hat trick and adding five helpers in the 25-10 win on May 14th. If the scoring explosion against Gloucester is any indication of the Indians offense coming to life, not only should the Far East look out, but the entire OJBLL should take notice.
