As story-lines continue to grow across the Canadian Lacrosse League (CLax), the In Lacrosse We Trust Power Rankings make minimal changes from last week. In Week 5 of CLax action, the Barrie Blizzards found their first win in almost a year while the Oshweken Demons remain unbeaten and the Durham TurfDogs continue to struggle.
1. Ohsweken Demons (6-0) Last Week: 1
Six games into the 2014 season and the Ohsweken Demons remain unbeaten and sit on top of the CLax standings. The Demons picked up a pair of victories, defeating Niagara 13-8 in a battle for first place and Durham 13-10 the following day.
The outstanding Ohsweken offense peppered their opponents’ netminders with 140 shots on net and netted 31 of those attempts. Once again the Demons were led by the 2012 Most Outstanding Player Chris Attwood who netted 11 points in the two victories. Former Rochester Knighthawk Wayne VanEvery continued to fill the net as he found the back of the cage, netting nine goals in two games. VanEvery now leads the league in goals with 26 goals in just five games. Roger Vyse made his return to the CLax floor after a recent release by the Philadelphia Wings and added four points in his two first game. As if the Demons offense needed more of a boost, they now have Vyse to help continue the scoring prowess of the 2014 Oshweken season. For the third straight week, netminder Jake Henhawk was named defensive player of the week. The Team USA goaltender was lights out against the Lock Monsters last Friday night, allowing just eight goals and shutting the door in the final frame to help clinch the victory. The Demons will look to extend their unbeaten streak to seven as they take on the struggling Durham Turfdogs on Saturday (3/8) at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena.
2 .Niagara Lock Monsters (4-2) Last Week: 2
The Niagara Lock Monsters suffered their second loss of the season, once again to the hands of the first place Osweken Demons. Rookie netminder David DiRuscio was outstanding in the Lock Monsters loss, making an incredible 59 saves, keeping Niagara in contention all game. The Coquitlam Jr. A product has been outstanding in his freshmen CLax campaign and has possibly solidified himself as the starting goalie for the Niagara Lock Monsters. On the offensive front, the usual suspects were active on the scoresheet for the Lock Monsters. Andrew Potter and Corey Fowler each chipped in six points in the Niagara loss. Despite losing, Niagara still has a commanding lead over SouthWest for second place—the Lock Monsters have eight points as the Cyclops sit in third with four. In their lone game this upcoming weekend, Niagara will travel to the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena to take on SouthWest for a Friday night contest.
3. SouthWest Cyclops (2-3) Last Week: 3
The SouthWest Cyclops fell below .500 after a 13-12 overtime loss to the Barrie Blizzard. The Cyclops came flying out the gates, netting three goals in the opening three minutes; however, the Blizzard would reply in what turned out to be a back-and-forth affair for the remainder of the game.
Veterans Kim Squire and Ryan Campbell led the way offensively for the Cyclops with a pair of goals and assists each, while rookies Mike Burke and Patrick McCory each tallied three points. The Cyclops will look to get back on track this weekend as they take on second place Niagara at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena this Friday night at 8 pm.
4. Barrie Blizzard (1-4) Last Week: 5
The new and improved Barrie Blizzard finally picked up their first victory of the season after a hard fought overtime victory over SouthWest. Recently hired Head Coach Brad MacArthur‘s new defensive system were impressive, allowing a season low of 12 goals. MacArthur was not the only one who made an early impact on his new club as Travis Gibbons was outstanding in his Blizzard debut, netting an outrageous 11 points (4 G, 7 A) including the game-winning goal in overtime. Former Durham TurfDog General Manager Jonas Derks continues his impressive return to the professional floor with a hat-trick in the Blizzard’s first victory. Buffalo practice roster player Colin Boucher was named an honourable mention for the Defensive Player of the Week as he netted a goal and scooped up six assists while forcing numerous turnovers. The Blizzard have a week of practice to help pick up their second victory of the year and climb out of the CLax basement as they take on first place Ohsweken Demons on Thursday, March 15.
5. Durham TurfDogs (1-5) Last Week: 4
The Durham TurfDogs suffered their third straight loss, this time at the hands of the Ohsweken Demons. Despite losing their fifth game of the season, the TurfDogs were solid in the loss to the unbeaten Demons. Derek Hopcroft had a stellar showing with four goals and three assists for seven points while captain Mark Farthing, Brad Levick and rookie Jordan Robertson each recorded two points in the loss. Netminder Kevin Croswell was solid in the loss, only allowing the potent Ohsweken offense to a season low of 13 goals. Durham will have a shot at vengeance this Saturday night at 8 pm as the TurfDogs travel to the ILA.
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