The 2014 Major Series Lacrosse (MSL) season is officially underway, each team now having played at least two games. Early in the year, some notable names have put up impressive performances.
The Peterborough Lakers are in the midst of a three-game winning streak, which saw veteran John Grant Jr. display the talent that has plagued MSL defences for years.
Grant appeared in just seven regular season games for Peterborough during 2013. With the lefty sniper’s summer commitments including representing Team Canada in the upcoming World Championships as well as playing for the Denver Outlaws of the Major Lacrosse League, there was uncertainty regarding Grant’s availability to the Lakers.
Grant made his presence felt immediately, scoring a pair of goals to give the Lakers an early 2-0 lead before completing a hat-trick en route to an 9-7 win over the Oakville Rock. A steady debut was followed by a monstrous nine-point (1 G, 8 A) performance in Peterborough’s 14-10 win over the Brooklin Redmen.
A pair of rookies have made an effortless transition into the Brooklin Redmen lineup, as Dan Litner (7 G, 7 A) and Curtis Knight (5 G, 4 A) have combined for 23 points in their first three games. The duo have benefitted from rekindled chemistry with fellow Whitby Warriors alum Shane Jackson. After spending two seasons with the Langley Thunder, Jackson currently leads the Redmen in scoring with 15 points (6 G, 9 A).
In his first season with the Oakville Rock, Jordan MacIntosh has stood out on an extremely youthful squad. The ex-Peterborough Laker put up three points (1 G, 2 A) in a loss to his former squad, before leading Oakville to a 13-11 win over the Six Nations Chiefs with seven points (4 G, 3 A) while netting the game-winning goal.
Oakville’s upset over Six Nations also featured an outstanding debut from rookie Patrick Corbett. The Lehigh University standout had six points (3 G, 3 A) versus the Chiefs.
With many of the Six Nations Chiefs’ regulars from the 2013 Mann Cup roster yet to play this season, rookie Randy Staats has emerged as an offensive star. Staats sits second in team scoring, behind veteran Roger Vyse (2g, 13a), with 12 points (7g, 4a) in four games.
The remainder of the week features a full schedule of action, which can be found below.
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