This Week In The Arena Lacrosse League (ALL) For Week Nine

Four games in week nine, as teams jockey for position heading into the home stretch trying to make the playoffs.

Saturday February 15th


Oshawa Outlaws (3-6) vs. Peterborough Timbermen (5-4) at the Millbrook Arena in Millbrook, Ontario.

Once again special teams was the Achilles heel of the Oshawa Outlaws, giving up nine powerplay goals and three shorties, which changed the complexion of the game, helping the Timbermen win 18-17.

Oshawa got behind early, being down as much as 9-4 just five minutes into the second quarter, but kept pushing and made it 10-7 at the half. The third quarter had the teams exchange goals evenly.

A fourth quarter hat-trick by Luke Laszkiewicz, and two late goals by Josh Gilray had the Outlaws within one goal, but time ran out and the Timbermen held on for the 18-17 win.

Aaron Woods (6g,1a) led Peterborough’s attack, with help from Ty Thompson (2g,6a), Cameron Simpson (2g,3a), Justin Bragg (2g,0a), and Jeff Geddis (2g,0a), with Skkylar Thomas being the setup man (0g,10a).

Oshawa’s attack was led by John St. John (6g,4a), Luke Laszkiewicz (3g,3a), and Josh Gilray (4g,1a).

The Three Stars:

1. John St. John F Oshawa
2. Aaron Woods F Peterborough
3. Skkylar Thomas F Peterborough


Six Nations Snipers (3-6) vs
Toronto Monarchs (2-7) at the Toronto Rock Athletic Centre (TRAC).

The Snipers and Monarchs battled in a back and forth affair, that saw Toronto jump out to a 7-3 lead midway through the second quarter. Six Nations kept battling, to finally tie the game 10-10 just at the beginning of the fourth, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.

The Snipers and Monarchs exchanged goals, but with only four minutes to go, Six Nations got on a three goal run, looking to seal the deal, however, Toronto had other ideas. Todd Kozak scored twice for the Monarchs in 0:29 seconds, making it a one goal game with still 1:37 to go. With the goalie pulled, the Snipers were able to out in two empty net goals and leave with the “W”.

Six Nations had a well balanced attack, with Tye Argent, Brent Longboat, Jordan Goddard, and Danton Miller, all with two goals and three assists, and Davis Prince, Justin Martin, and Alec Tamas helping with two goals each as well.

Tanner Buck (4g,5a) led the offense for the Monarchs, while Todd Bozak (3g,0a), Leland Powless (2g,2a), and Cam Mancini (2g,1a) chipped in. Graham Bergsma (0g,4a) played the part of the setup man.

The Three Stars:

1. Dustin Hill G Six Nations Snipers
2. Tanner Buck F Toronto Monarchs
3. Brent Longboat F Six Nations Snipers

Sunday February 16th at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena (ILA)


Whitby Steelhawks (7-2) vs. St. Catharines Shockwave (4-4).

In what could be called an upset, the St. Catharines Shockwave, with a strong second half, came from behind to beat the league leading Whitby Steelhawks.

The Shockwave started strong getting out to a 2-0 lead in the first quarter, but an eight goal run from Whitby made this game look like a blowout was in the making.

To the Shockwave’s credit, they didn’t fold up and go home, they battled for every inch, and scored nine of the next twelve goals, to end the third quarter tied 11-11.

Bryan Neufeld was the star for St. Catharines in the fourth, scoring twice and adding an assist, as the Shockwave outscored the Steelhawks 5-2 to win 16-13.

Bryan Neufeld (3g,4a) led the Shockwave with help from Anthony Patterson (3g,2a), Cody Menzies (4g,1a), and Layne Smith (2g,1a), with Brooker Muir (1g,3a) being the playmaker.

Dylan Hutchison (3g,2a), Liam Osborne (3g,0a), and Todd Greer (2g,0a) led the scoring for Whitby, while Cam Milligan (2g,6a), and Cole McWilliams (1g,4a) were the setup men.

The Three Stars:

1. Cody Menzies F St. Catharines
2. Liam Osborne F Whitby
3. Bryan Neufeld F St. Catharines

Paris RiverWolves (7-2) vs. Six Nations Snipers (3-6).

The Six Nations Snipers, fresh off their win less than twenty four hours earlier, put together their most complete game of the year, beating the Paris RiverWolves soundly, 16-8.

A strong second and third quarter, outscoring their opponents 11-4, propelled Six Nations to victory.

Justin Martin (5g,0a) led the way for the Snipers, with help from Wes Whitlow, Davis Prince, and Vern Hill, with two goals each.

Paris was led by Spencer Pyke (3-0), and Drake Smith (2-0) accounting for the majority of their offense.

The Three Stars:

1. Dustin Hill G Six Nations
2. Justin Martin F Six Nations
3. Henry Chapman T Six Nations

Upcoming Games…

Children’s Arena in Oshawa

Friday February 21st:

St. Catharines Shockwave vs. Oshawa Outlaws. Game time is 8pm.

Saturday February 22nd:

Toronto Monarchs vs. Whitby Steelhawks. Game time is 3pm.

Paris RiverWolves vs. Oshawa Outlaws. Game time is 7pm.

At the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena (ILA)

Six Nations Snipers vs. St. Catharines Shockwave. Game time is 2pm.


Standings:

Whitby Steelhawks…………….7-2
Paris RiverWolves………………7-2
Peterborough Timbermen….5-4
St. Catharines Shockwave…..4-4
Six Nations Snipers…………….3-6
Oshawa Outlaws………………..3-6
Toronto Monarchs……………..2-7

Gary Groob

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.