Archive for the ‘Road to the Mann Cup’ Category


IL Indoor, National Lacrosse League, Road to the Mann Cup, Road to the Minto Cup, WLA

Dirty Dozen: Tavares may never be caught; Rush score big for 2012 entry draft; and welcome back to lacrosse for Randy Staats

April 27th, 2012 by Bob Chavez

Buffalo veteran forward John Tavares keeps piling up the points. Will anyone ever catch him? (Photo: Ward Laforme Jr.)
Buffalo veteran forward John Tavares keeps piling up the points. Will anyone ever catch him? (Photo: Ward Laforme Jr.)

The National Lacrosse League’s single-season points record of 115, set by John Tavares in 2001, may fall this weekend. John Grant Jr., with 110 points this season, has 1 more game to try to eclipse that record and given that he’s averaging 8.5 points a game, odds are in his favor. But the odds don’t take into consideration the intangibles that can knock that pursuit off the tracks, so we can’t exactly ink Junior in as the new scoring champ just yet. But what we can do is take a closer look at another NLL record held by JT, one that he continues to extend: career points in the NLL. For the sake of argument, if the career of Tavares were to never see another game, who are the biggest threats to eclipse JT’s 1,622 career points, and if there are any threats, how long will it take them to catch Tavares? READ MORE »

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Brooklin Redmen, CLA, Futures Report, IL Indoor, Langley Thunder, National Lacrosse League, Road to the Mann Cup, Senior A, The Ballers, The Life

Off the Crosse-bar Podcast with future NLL star Mark Matthews

April 12th, 2012 by Teddy Jenner

There’s so much going on in the lacrosse world these days that it’s often hard to keep up but that’s what we’re here for. From the National Lacrosse League regular season winding down and the play-offs right around the corner, Canadian summer leagues a few weeks away from starting and the NCAA being on the home stretch to crowning a new set of champions it often hard to keep track of who’s where. Well one guy that hasn’t been lost in all the frantic action is Mark Matthews from the Denver Pioneers and Whitby Warriors Jr A team. Labeled as “the next big thing” and we’re not talking Brock Lesnar ‘Big’ here but more like John Grant Jr big. This isn’t to put pressure on a young player that has yet to play in the NLL or even Sr lacrosse but it’s a credit to the natural physical and mental skills he posses. If you haven’t heard of or seen Matthews play, you’ll be in for a treat as he’s that damn good. Coming off back to back Minto Cup titles, (2010 with Coquitlam, 2011 with Whitby) Matthews is in his senior year with the Pioneers and hopes to add another title to his growing resume. Turn the page and turn up the speakers as we go one on one with next year’s number one draft pick in the NLL (yes we can see the future), this week on the Off the Crosse-Bar Podcast. READ MORE »

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Edmonton Rush, National Lacrosse League, Road to the Mann Cup, Senior A, The Ballers, The Buzz

Off the Crosse-Bar podcast with The Teej, Tom Johnson of the Edmonton Rush

April 5th, 2012 by Teddy Jenner

A few weeks left in the 2012 National Lacrosse Season and every team has a shot to make the post season. OK so that may not be much of a stretch as all but one team doesn’t make the second season however the race to not be that team on the outside looking in as heated as was the race to sign Western Lacrosse Association free agent Tom Johnson. While he may not be a household name or top many of the scoring charts, Johnson is a perfect example of what a team player is all about. Never on to ask for the spotlight, Johnson does what’s asked of him whether it’s to play grinder role in the two man game, be responsible defensively in the transition game or do everything he can to get to the front of the net. It’s been a whirlwind past few years for the Port Moody, BC native having been to back to back NLL Finals with the Washington Stealth, representing Team England at the World Indoor Championships in Prague, signing as a free agent with the Edmonton Rush and now signing as a free agent with the most storied lacrosse team of all time, the New Westminster Salmonbellies. This week, #8 of the Edmonton Rush, Tom Johnson on the Off the Crosse-Bar Podcast. READ MORE »

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CLA, MSL, Road to the Mann Cup, WLA

2011 Mann Cup Champs – Brampton Excelsiors, Video Interviews

September 14th, 2011 by Steve Kojima

Ross, Walters, Dawson and Cosmo share their thoughts following Brampton's 2011 Mann Cup victory.
Ross, Walters, Dawson and Cosmo share their thoughts following Brampton's 2011 Mann Cup victory.

Congratulations once again to the 2011 Mann Cup champion Brampton Excelsiors of the Major Series League (MSL) for winning their third title in four years. Led by goalie Anthony Cosmo and captain Dan Dawson, Brampton earned four straight victories to capture the best of seven series, 4-1. Read all of the ‘Road to the Mann Cup‘ game recaps and stories here on ILindoor.com, and after the jump see short video interviews. READ MORE »

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Road to the Mann Cup

2011 Mann Cup photo gallery

September 14th, 2011 by Bob Chavez

Langley's Athan Iannucci drew 4 Brampton defenders on this play in Game 4, and still scored a goal. (Photo: Dan Brodie)
Langley's Athan Iannucci drew 4 Brampton defenders on this play in Game 4, and still scored a goal. (Photo: Dan Brodie)

As we mentioned a couple of weeks ago at the conclusion of the 2011 Minto Cup, words and images here at ILIndoor.com work together to bring you the story. Today, we’re letting the images do the talking for the 2011 Mann Cup, clinched Monday night by the Brampton Excelsiors. Photographer Dan Brodie worked his magic with the camera so take a look here, and if you like any of the photos, check out his website at DanBrodiePhotography.com, where the images are available for purchase. READ MORE »

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Road to the Mann Cup

Mann Cup 2011: They said it …

September 14th, 2011 by Bob Chavez

The Brampton Excelsiors celebrate their Mann Cup victory, clinched Monday night in Langley, B.C. (Photo: Gary Ahuja)
The Brampton Excelsiors celebrate their Mann Cup victory, clinched Monday night in Langley, B.C. (Photo: Gary Ahuja)

The playing is over, the coaching complete. If you’re a Langley Thunder fan, you’re disappointed but proud. If you’re a Brampton Excelsiors fan, you’re thrilled, proud and perhaps still recovering from the celebration. It wasn’t exactly a Mann Cup for the ages, but it was a Mann Cup nonetheless and the conclusion of the 102nd version of the event leaves us looking forward to the 2012 tournament, which will be played in the East. In the meantime, the Cup will make its stops at various pubs, pools and bonfires and officials will pray it stays away from good-natured danger. But before we put the Mann to rest for 2011, let’s take a look at what participants from both sides had to say about this year’s tournament, after the jump. READ MORE »

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Road to the Mann Cup

Video: Mann Cup Game 4, Iannucci’s magic

September 14th, 2011 by Bob Chavez

Teddy Jenner wrote about Athan Iannucci’s incredible goal in Game 4 of this year’s Mann Cup, but now we can see it. Check it out as Nooch solves not 1, not 2, not 3, but 4 Brampton defenders for a sweet goal. The vid also includes his second goal of the game, which isn’t too shabby of a one-handed shot, either. Brampton won the game, 5-4, and the series, but if these goals by Nooch make you shake your head in disbelief, imagine being the defender tasked to mark him.

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CLA, MSL, Road to the Mann Cup, Senior A, WLA

Experience paves way as Brampton Excelsiors win fourth Mann Cup in 10 years

September 13th, 2011 by Teddy Jenner

Your 2011 Mann Cup champions, the Brampton Excelsiors. (Photo: Dan Brodie)
Your 2011 Mann Cup champions, the Brampton Excelsiors. (Photo: Dan Brodie)

“I absolutely love winning!” With one statement, Mike Kelly Award winner Anthony Cosmo summed up the entire feeling of the 2011 Mann Cup Champions from Brampton. In what was another fantastic goaltenders’ duel between Cosmo and Brodie MacDonald the Excelsiors used their veteran leadership and Mann Cup experience en route to a 6-3 victory in Game 5 to win the 102nd Mann Cup 4 games to 1. READ MORE »

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CLA, MSL, Road to the Mann Cup, Senior A, WLA

Defensive standoff sees Brampton take 3-1 Mann Cup series lead over Langley Thunder

September 12th, 2011 by Teddy Jenner

A smothering Brampton defense was all over Athan Iannucci and the Langley Thunder in Sunday's Game 4. (Photo: Dan Brodie)
A smothering Brampton defense was all over Athan Iannucci and the Langley Thunder in Sunday's Game 4. (Photo: Dan Brodie)

One bounce the other way and we could have a completely different series. That’s how close it’s been between the Langley Thunder and the Brampton Excelsiors in the 2011 Mann Cup. While the first two games were lopsided victories, one for each team, the last two have been back and forth battles that have displayed the greatness that is the game of lacrosse. Last night’s Game 4 had it all, as neither team wanted to give an inch in what was a very pivotal game in the series and ended up being a 5-4 victory for the Brampton Excelsiors, who now lead this series 3-1. “Both teams are feeling each other,” noted Langley head coach Rod Jensen after the first period that saw the teams combined for 24 shots in a scoreless 20 minutes. READ MORE »

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CLA, MSL, Road to the Mann Cup, Senior A, WLA

A barn burner goes to the wire as Brampton takes a 2-1 lead in the 2011 Mann Cup

September 11th, 2011 by Teddy Jenner

Anthony Cosmo made 30 saves to help the Brampton Excelsiors win Game 3 and take a 2-1 series lead. (Photo: Dan Brodie)
Anthony Cosmo made 30 saves to help the Brampton Excelsiors win Game 3 and take a 2-1 series lead. (Photo: Dan Brodie)

The Brampton Excelsiors got a huge lift in game two when Dan Dawson, Anthony Cosmo and Bill Greer flew in on game day and immediately had an impact in the 2011 Mann Cup. Last night, more troops arrived as both Mike Hominuk and Chris Corbeil made their debut in the National Championship to make the Ontario champs’ roster complete. This was what the B.C. champs wanted and after a poor effort in the final two periods of Game 2, they knew they would have to come out and compete for a full 60 minutes. In most games, playing 53 minutes is enough. But not tonight. The Excels exploded for four straight goals to open Game 3 and all signs pointed to a blowout before they hung on for an 8-7 win and a 2-1 series lead. READ MORE »

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