In the past two weeks, we have had the Founders Cup (Junior B Championship), the Minto Cup (junior A Championship), the President’s Cup (Senior B Championship), and starting this Friday is the Mann Cup (Senior A Championship). Congratulations to everyone involved, and especially to the winning teams
The Founder’s Cup:
Played in Brampton this year, the Nepean Knights defeated the Coquitlam Adanacs to win this year’s championship.
The Minto Cup:
Also played in Brampton this year, the Whitby Warriors defeated the Edmonton Miners in a best of three series to win the championship.
The bigger story story was the play of the Miners Lacrosse Club. The first Alberta team to make it to the Minto finals, let alone win a game while they were there. They lost game three 6-5, but for a post on a penalty shot with just 0:26 seconds left, could have been a much different result.
The President’s Cup:
The Ladner Pioneers beat the Akwesasne Bucks 8-6 in Edmonton, Alberta to win the gold medal. These lineups were full of current NLL players, and the lacrosse was exceptional throughout the tournament. Ladner goalie Alex Buque was the player of the game in the gold medal game. Honorable mention goes to the Six Nations Rivermen for winning the bronze medal after beating the Edmonton Miners 12-8.
The Mann Cup:
Also known as the Stanley Cup of box lacrosse, will take place in Peterborough, Ontario starting this Friday night. The hometown Lakers face the Langley Thunder in a best of seven series held over nine nights (if necessary).
These teams on paper match up very evenly in most categories.
Langley had 8 wins while the Lakers had 7. The Thunder scored 119 goals, while Peterborough scored 118. Goals against had Langley give up 99 while Peterborough gave up 101. Even the goaltending match-up saw the Thunder’s goalies make 483 saves, while the Lakers goaltenders made 510 saves.
This will be a six or seven game series that will have every lacrosse fan on the edge of their seats from start to finish of every game.
Memorial Centre in Peterborough:
Probably the best venue to watch this event with 4000+ seats available (it will be completely sold out for each game), in a city that lives for its Lakers.
If you are lucky enough to get into town on gameday, you will feel the fevered pitch wherever you go. Billboards, signs, bar and restaurant specials are everywhere, all in anticipation of the big game.
What happens post-game? They go over the game of course over a couple of cold ones, also discussing the upcoming games. You need to experience this feeling at least once in your life, you won’t regret it!
No matter who comes away with the Mann Cup, we the fans will have been treated to the greatest players in the world playing the greatest game in the world, for the most revered trophy in the world!
You can catch EVERY game for FREE on Major Series Lacrosse’s YouTube page. This is definitely must see TV!
Don’t forget to check us out every Sunday night at 9pm (ET)
Gary Groob has been involved with Lacrosse for the majority of his life, whether playing, coaching, or covering the sport for the media.
An avid fan, with a real drive about helping to “grow the game”, Gary became part of podcasts about the game in 2010. Through the podcasts, Mr. Groob was given an opportunity to write about lacrosse, and the rest as they say, is history.
Through many miles (flying and driving) Gary has made inroads with the National Lacrosse League, Major Series Lacrosse League, the Ontario Lacrosse Association, as well as the Arena Lacrosse League, covering the leagues, their teams, and players, working for, and in concert with all of them.
In the year 2020, Mr. Groob was made the media person for the Arena Lacrosse League, voted onto the board of directors of the Brampton Excelsiors Lacrosse Club, as well as being made administrator of the Lacrosse page “Global Lacrosse” with a membership of 9000 members in over 90 Countries. Gary was also made an administrator of Lacrosse History Past Present and Future in 2022.
Mr. Groob co-hosts a weekly Lacrosse show on Spanglish Sports World, and ZingoTV channel 250, as well as writes a weekly lacrosse column for La Portada Canada News (both in print, and online).
Gary also hosts a Lacrosse talk show and podcast for The Edge of Philly Sports Network, seen live Sunday nights at 9pm (ET), and archived on the Edge of Philly YouTube page, as well as Spotify.
Mr. Groob’s other sports interests include Hockey, Football, Boxing, Wrestling, and Baseball, competing competitively in Boxing and Wrestling for many years.
