MOB Lacrosse has prided itself for years in being extremely competitive and yet still a lot of fun. The standings were always very close from top to bottom, with the winner always being a big question mark.
Somehow that never happened this year.
Red Heat got out to a fast and furious start and never looked back, while Black Storm got stuck in the mud early in the year, and continued to spin their wheels all year.
Blue Thunder and Gold Rush were tied for second the standings and played solid all year.
Wednesday night was The Finals.
Game one would see what is commonly called the "Toilet Bowl", the battle of the two "losers" of the semi-finals from the previous week. It would be a very strong Blue Thunder hosting the lowly Black Storm. The game had an extra element as The Blue Goalie on this night would be none other than my brother "Tippy". I was on the injured reserve and decided to coach my Black teammates. I thought perhaps I would lead them to the promised land, and maybe get picked up by a NLL team once they saw my coaching skills in action.
My first move was to see if my other brother Don, could blow a shot past our brother, and get the Blue team on their heels. It worked to perfection as my bro bounced a beauty past his younger brother. Black Storm was alive. The game was back and forth from there, and was actually quite entertaining. Early in the third period the score was tied at 5-5. it was anybody game at this point. Blue made it 6 - 5, when Dan Tavares dropped a "teardrop" over the shoulder shot that found the bottom right corner of the net. Black pulled it's goalie to try to get back in the game, but Blue grabbed the ball and scored an empty netter. It was over. The painful Black Storm Season had come to an end.
Fred Rooymans led the way for Blue with 3 goals and 4 assists.
Between games all 4 teams met at centre floor for a special award. The Scott Smith Award is given annually to the MOB player that demonstrates Commitment to the game, camaraderie and fun.
This years winner really made it simple. He showed up and played every week with energy and a smile. He often played 2 games a night to help out, which he did more often than he would admit.
The winner of the 2013 Scott Smith Trophy was Brad Sanderson.
THE FINALS. - RED HEAT VS GOLD RUSH!
This game had all the makings of a classic. Great Goaltenders at each end. Gold Rush would have the great stopper Ronny Larose, and Red (who had been led to first place by Randy Tollefson) would have to borrow a goalie on this night....and guess who?? - It would be Brad Sanderson to step up one more time.
This would not be a high scoring games. Both teams are quick and would break out quickly, but also get back on defence just as quick.
There were some goals early by both teams as they felt each other out. The game would be back and forth all night and was very entertaining. Gold held a lead late, but a penalty shot was awarded o Jordan Steip and he fired the ball in the top corner to tie the game up. On the powerplay to follow Captain Kyle Johnston scored a beauty. to make it 6 - 5 late for Red. But...it was not over as Frank Lechowski scored a spectacular goal to tie the score. We are going to Overtime. 5 minutes of play, sudden death, first goal wins the championship. There were lots of chances, some great plays and great goaltending....and then it happened. Kyle Johnston fired an underhand past the goalie with 0.1 seconds left on the clock. Red Heat Wins. Red Heat Wins.
What a great Masters Lacrosse game it was. The "near"capacity crowd loved it.
Jordan Steip had an amazing game for Red scoring 5 simply beautiful goals.
**Interesting Facts.
- Red Heat became the only First Place team to win the Campbell Cup (very curious stat) in MOB History
- Brad Sanderson becomes the only goalie to lose the Toilet Bowl and win The Campbell Cup
- Steve Tippy McMillan becomes the Toilet Bowl Winning goalie in two leagues. (is that good?)
Thanks to all who make MOB Lacrosse....The Best Masters Lacrosse League!!
See you next year.
