2003 "Major" Preview
Monday June 2, 2003
AKWESASNE THUNDER
BRAMPTON EXCELSIORS
BROOKLIN REDMEN
PETERBOROUGH LAKERS
ST.CATHARINES ATHLETICS
SIX NATIONS CHIEFS
2003 "Major" Preview
6th consecutive year in league Mann Cups won: none OLA titles won: none 0-20 record last year missed playoffs last 3 years Record in 21st century: 9-48-1 2001 Leading Scorer: Ed Fines Coach: not available Forecast: They're back! And looking 100% better than they did a year ago. A wonderful recovery which would make Harry Houdini envious. Now let's put to rest this nonsense about John Tavares returning - dream on! J.T. really isn't important. What matters is a stabile roster of 25 players for the Thunder to choose from. That will be the first step to regaining competitiveness. I'm sure Akwesasne will be in their fair of close games. I doubt they'll win many - if any. But they will once again be an asset to the Major Series, not a liability. Prediction: Last place.
16th consecutive year in league Mann Cups won: 7 - 1930, 1931, 1980, 1992, 1993, 1998, 2002 OLA titles won: 19 - 1912, 1913, 1914, 1926, 1930, 1931, 1961, 1962, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1980, 1981, 1992, 1993, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002 29-7 record last year 11 years without losing record made playoffs 15 straight years Record in 21st century: 73-30 2001 Leading Scorer: Josh Sanderson Coach: Terry Sanderson (81-29) Forecast: The champs get stronger and stronger. Isn't that the whole story in Major lacrosse the past twenty years? Coming off a brilliant Mann Cup win the Excelsiors will only be better this year. They likely will not be dominant during the 14 game regular season because it is essentially an exhibition season as every team makes the playoffs. But come August, when things get serious, you can expect Brampton to be at its best. The other contenders will be challenged just to stay close to them. Excelsiors should cruise to another title. They have only themselves to beat. Prediction: Champion.
28th consecutive year in league Mann Cups won: 7 - 1968, 1969, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1990, 2000 OLA titles won: 13 - 1964, 1965, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 2000 19-10-1 record last year 5 consecutive winning seasons made playoffs 26 straight years Record in 21st century: 65-27-2 2001 Leading Scorer: Kasey Beirnes Coach: Troy Cordingley (19-10-1) Forecast: The organisation is as solid as ever, however an air of failure hangs over the Redmen coming into 2003. They often talk about rats fleeing a sinking ship, lacrosse players are not rats but their loyalty can be incredibly fickle. Many are only loyal to monetary gain or to winning and if they sense their current team will not be a winner they can disappear fast. The Redmen have been the most offensive minded and entertaining team in Ontario lacrosse the past four years. Yet one look at their 2002 scoring list can only cause concern. Rookie star Kasey Beirnes(???) Jason Crosbie(coaching) Nick Trudeau(Sr.B - commuting to Whitby...lol!) Shawn Williams(WLA) Gary Rosyski(???) Kelly Sullivan(don't be surprised to see him traded to Peterborough) Steve Toll(coaching) Darryl Gibson(coaching). So of the Brooklin top scorers from a year ago they can only really count on Marty O'Brien and Peter Lough - though I'm not sure we can count on them either. As well, their playoff scoring leader Cory Bomberry has headed west and I don't expect Pat McCready to be with the Redmen again(did I not predict - protest - when they joined Brooklin that it would only be for the playoffs?). On the bright side, Gavin Prout is making his return. That may encourage a few more players to come back. Perhaps we'll see Steve Toll in black and red for the playoffs. Nevertheless the situation is a sad one. No fault to the organisation, this is simply a commentary on the modern lacrosse player. The defection of Shawn Williams perhaps the bitterest blow. Can one imagine John Fusco or Eric Perroni bailing out? Of course neither Fusco nor Perroni ever played in the MILL/NLL. With such a competitive league it is tough to be positive about Brooklin's prospects. I should not underrate them but I will. Prediction: Fifth Place.
26th consecutive year in league Mann Cups won: 9 - 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1966, 1973, 1978, 1982, 1984 OLA titles won: 16 - 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1959, 1966, 1970, 1973, 1978, 1979, 1982, 1983, 1984 13-10-2 record last year 4 consecutive winning seasons made playoffs 5 straight years Record in 21st century: 36-32-4 2001 Leading Scorer: Jason Clark Coach: Jamie Batley (13-10-2) Forecast: The Peterborough organisation looks more stable with each passing year. One has to respect how difficult it is to move up to the top level of Senior A lacrosse. It can be a long hard road. The Lakers are still in ascent and this year should see a playoff victory(I do believe they would have beaten Brooklin last year had the Redmen not imported Cory Bomberry and Pat McCready). With the likes of Kyle Laverty plus Tim Burke returning and Brock Robertson joining the club no one will push this team around. Throw in such great talent as the surprising Joe Falconi, the underrated Brandon Sanderson, the even more underrated Jason Clark, the Selfs, the return of Matt Giles and, an addition most likely fans haven't noticed but a really like, the ultimate team player Kevin Lunnie, 2003 is full of promise for the boys in blue. I am interested to see if Steven and Scott Evans also suit up - that would be an even bigger boost. Am concerned about Mike Miron doing double duty in Sr.B and Major. The big guy could be the best goaltender in lacrosse if he doesn't wear out. Lots to look forward to here. I believe if Peterborough can get a series win under their belts then they will give Brampton a good run for their money. Prediction: Finalist.
5th consecutive year in league Mann Cups won: 5 - 1938, 1940, 1941, 1944, 1946 OLA titles won: 8 - 1938, 1939, 1940, 1941, 1944, 1945, 1946, 1963 10-13-1 record last year first winning regular season since 1964 made playoffs 4 straight years Record in 21st century: 25-45-1 2001 Leading Scorer: Mark Steenhuis Coach: Derek Graham (10-13-1) Forecast: This team lost quite a bit to Sr.B, still they should be better and have certainly started out that way. Goaltending will be their strength with Anthony Cosmos. Wayne Burke and Mark Steenhuis will provide great leadership. They add good, young talent like Mike Hominuck and Mike Longboat. I'm not sure they have the depth to challenge near the top but they will certainly be in the thick of things and should slip into the second playoff round. But they will be the main casualty if the Redmen rebound for the second half of the year. Prediction: Semi Finalist.
11th consecutive year in league Mann Cups won: 3 - 1994, 1995, 1996 OLA titles won: 3- 1994, 1995, 1996 5-15 record last year 6 consecutive losing seasons missed playoffs last 3 years Record in 21st century: 18-40 2001 Leading Scorer: Dallas Squire Coach: Pat O'Toole Forecast: It appears the Chiefs have finally put together the best team available to them. All their big name stars should be in the lineup, which will make them the most exciting team to watch. How far that will take them in a very competitive mid-pack is hard to say. Goaltending will be a key to their good fortune and Pat O'Toole should handle that role as efficently as he always has. So this should be a good year for the Chiefs to make a run at the top. Look for them to be competitive all the way but, perhaps, fall short in a seven game Semi Final. Prediction: Semi Finalist.
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