Canadian Lacrosse Pride

The 2014 World Championships of Lacrosse in Denver, Colorado are over....and what a great ride it was.

I don't even know where to begin...
- should I start with the incredible final game featuring the USA vs Canada?
 (which Canada won 8 -5)
- or the awesome preliminary games (involving  37 countries)?
- or maybe it is the majestic views of the Denver landscape.

I should probably tell you what happened in our division...the Festival, in which me and 21 of my buddies took part in the Grand Masters Division (50 plus) in an 11 team (very competitive) tournament.

                               Our Molson Canadians had local fans (thanks Brad)


I am exhausted, yet incredibly fulfilled. My excitement was not limited just to lacrosse. I am a very lucky man, as I was able to visit a beautiful city (Denver), while playing the best game in the world (lacrosse), all the while spending time with my beautiful wife Patti, my sister Laura and family, my Mom was there, my son, two of my brothers...etc. I could go on...but on this vacation...I NAILED IT!

When we arrived on Friday, July 11, we drove straight to the mountain town of Frisco, CO., where we spent the next four days enjoying the mountains. We stayed in a cabin with a river in the backyard, a hot tub and the smell of mountain air.

                                     Me and Warren (Colorado river - Coors - Focusing)

On the Monday we headed to my sister's place and prepared for our first game from the Tourney. (the big boys that is) - We saw Canada romp to an easy win over Japan.

Wednesday was tournament day. We started against team Harley....a formidable opponent. You may have heard this line before....we could beat them...but we did not. We lost 8 - 6 (sloppy game)

We then played Team Israel...and handled them easily. Our next game was against an old foe...Mr BOH....we knew it would be a tough game...and it was a must win. (We were up by 4 - we lost) - and it hurt big time. Mr. BOH and Team Harley would go on to play in the championship game. We should have been there.

Our next game we were down, came out flat. Down 7 - 2 late in the 3rd quarter...something clicked. It was a great comeback and we won 8 - 7 in triple overtime. Yahoooo - that felt good.

Our final game was against the England Lions Lacrosse Club. True Gentlemen of the game on and off the field. It was a pleasure to play the again (last time was 2010 - Manchester.) We won this game, but our English friends, short of players and weary. After the game we shared a photo and a cold beer. Fitting end to a tremendous tourney.

                                  The Molson Canadians and The England Lions.

                                    Myself , my English buddy Martin and my brother Steve.

I cannot express how grateful I am for so many things....my teammates, my family and friends and even my opponents. This event was everything I had hoped.

I am going to share some pics....and even some MVP picks that I made.

How to pick an MVP is not easy....so instead of picking one.....I picked a few.

      Silvana - words cannot describe. You are the best Sil - Thanks for everything. (even the gummies)

My pal - Stu Aird. - Played long pole...was amazing as always....(and played for two teams - winning Gold with the other team)

Gary Walker played Attack and was fierce. He had a phenomenal Tourney (I forgive the green shirt)

Warren Dimarco. Yes he was the organizer...he put up with all of us, and did a fantastic job. Aside from that though...he played great, winning faceoffs, hounding loose balls and scoring goals. Well done Warren D.!!

                   The McMillan/Ross/Neely fan base were at every game....Thank you all.

                                       Patti  and I (thanks babe for being such a great fan)

We went 4 wins and 2 losses....ended up in fifth place. Not what we wanted...but what the heck.

 

The Canadian pride at the event was fun to be a part of. The final game saw Canada play heavily favoured USA and the sea of Red Shirts at the game (thanks to Jason Donville) was great to see. When a US superstar went down in a heap...a chant of FIFA rang out from the crowd. I am not going to say who might have started the chant...but she plays in our MOB summer league and is a great physio.  ;-)

 

Well done Canada. Well Done.

Canada Day 2014

What a great country to live in. We have so much to be proud of, the list would be endless.

I spent a day at the Burlington Waterfront with two amazing women.

                                       Patti enjoying some strawberries.

                                           Mom and me on the Pier.

It was a great day...and of course being a sports lover, I must update you on some great "feel good" sports news...most of which you already know.

Canada Day - Blues Jays win 4 to 1...the team has been struggling lately...but keep this in mind, we are still in first place.

World Cup Soccer - It has been such a great World Cup this year but alas, Canada is not in it...but I heard rumours we have that figured out: we are trying to host the event in 2026, and the host team gets to play. That is good sports management.

Wimbledon - 2014. I am loving Canadian Tennis right now. Milos Raonic won today to move on to the quarterfinals.

                                       Milos has an overpowering serve.

How about the Wimbledon sweetheart Eugenie Bouchard? - she combines skill, with incredible talent and is a fierce competitor. When she is interviewed - 100% class. She is Canadian through and through. She too has moved on to the quaterfinals. Go Genie!!

                                       Genie fights for every point. Love her.


However the big sports story on this Canada Day is Lacrosse. Patti and I are 9 days from heading to Denver to see my sister Laura and her great family, and I am playing Lacrosse with 22 amazing guys in the Grand Masters Division of the World Championships of Lacrosse. I cannot wait. Our team is the Molson Canadians. We have 11 teams in our division and competition is fierce. I like our chances though. A long list of lacrosse players that have been playing the game for a very long time.

Here is the link if you would like to check it out.  Denver 2014.

I will do some blogs to update you.

Lacrosse + Canada + World Championships = a really good time.

 

This was our team in 2010, Manchester England. We are younger and faster now so this time we should win the Gold. That is our goal.

 

Take care and Happy Canada Day!!

A Proud Canadian.

It is no secret. I am a proud Canadian. I love this country and all that it stands for.

Canadian athletes make me proud, and I love to cheer for the great athletes that make us all proud.

Now it is my turn. July 11th, Patti and I are heading to Denver to visit my sister Laura, her husband Greg and their four fantastic kids, Jamey, Lindsay, Olivia and Jackson. This is the only reason for my visit...well, sort of.

Did I mention the the World Field Lacrosse Championships are also being held in Denver? The same week as my visit? Wow, what a great coincidence...a chance to see my relatives and at the same time - Lacrosse. Oh, I forgot to tell you...22 of my buddies are also going to be there.

I am excited. While the World Championships are going on, there is also a "Festival Division". This is where all ages can play in the tournament as well. It is amazing how many teams are participating.

Click on this link and then click on "Nations". It is astonishing how many countries are involved in this great tournament.

http://www.worldlacrosse2014.com/landing/index


The festival division is no different. Check out all the different divisions:
http://www.worldlacrosse2014.com/festivals/participating_teams

I am playing in the Grand Masters Division. (50 +).

Our team is known as the Molson Canadians.

I will give you a quick rundown of our team.

Goaltenders -Solid. Ted Sawicki and Brad Sanderson...we are in good hands here.

Long Pole - I am going out on a limb here to say I believe our Long Poles (Defence for you non-laxers) ...our Long Poles might be the best of the tourney. Stu Aird, Brian Shanahan, Kevin Steritt, Steve McMillan, Bob Simpson and Jason Donville. A formidable group.

                An example of a "long pole" Mitchell Wales (son of Grand Master Brad Wales)

Our Attack - Solid. Ivy Leaguers Pete Follows and Gary Walker, along with UMass star Jim Weller and the incomparable Scott (Strongheart) Aird. Scoring goals should not be a problem for this group of stars.

MidField. -  A talented group of players, but injuries and inexperience may play a factor. The key for this midfield is to keep the lines changing and continue to put fresh legs on the field.

All in all, this is an amazing group of guys that I am proud to know. Going to Denver to play the game we love against teams from around the world. It does not get any better.

To celebrate this event, passitonsports.ca have some Team Canada Shirts available, and if you want to do your country proud and purchase a shirt, go for it. A sample of the shirts can be seen on the PassItOnSports.ca website: http://www.passitonsports.ca/2014-fil-world-lacrosse-championships.html

Follow this link to order your shirt. There are Men's and Ladies...and Red or Black.

$25 tax included.

There are a few options for payment:

1. via PayPal
2. email me your order to mike@passitonsports.ca via interac email transfer
3. email me your order and pay by cheque or cash

Shipping is not included in the $25. If you need the shirts shipped, I will let you know how much it will cost you.

That is it. It is going to be a great July. Stay tuned to my blog for game updates.

Order your shirt today!


Go Canada Go!