OTTAWA – The host St. Albert Miners were crowned Canadian Senior B national champions this past weekend, capturing their first ever President’s Cup with a 12-7 win over the Kahnawake Mohawks in Leduc, Alta.
It was a fairytale ending to their season, which saw them follow a combined 20-0-1 regular and playoff record in the Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League (RMLL) with five straight tournament wins against the country’s best teams.
This year’s championship welcomed eight teams from across the country, including a historic appearance from the Saskatoon Brewers, who were the first Saskatchewan based team to participate in the event since 1981.
St. Albert was in tough during the gold medal game as they faced off against perennial President’s Cup participants the Kahnawake Mohawks, who were representing the Federation of Quebec Lacrosse. While the Mohawks had the experience, winning two silver medals and three bronze medals since 2000, the Miners had a hometown crowd of over 1,700 people cheering them on.
A potent offence propelled them to victory, led by six point performances by Keegan Ball, who led all tournament scorers with an incredible 36 points (12 G, 24 A) in five games, and Richard Lachlan. Goaltender David Marrese did his part, backstopping the winner’s with a tournament leading 4.80 GAA.
The home team broke out with eight straight goals to start the game, however Kahnawake was able to claw their way back with five unanswered of their own, cutting their opponent’s lead to 9-5 after the second period. Two quick goals from Lachlan, 24-seconds and 37-seconds into the third frame respectively, put the game out of reach.
Peter Jacobs and Patrick Saunders each scored three points for Kahnawake in the loss.
“For fans of Senior B lacrosse, the tournament was a resounding success,” stated organizing committee chair Norm Shaw. “The atmosphere inside Sobey’s Arena was electric during the championship game. Fans were treated to a great, hard fought gold medal game, with the Miners ultimately prevailing and capping an undefeated season in style.”
In the battle for bronze, the Ontario Lacrosse Association’s Brooklyn Merchants defeated the Native Sons, who are based out of New York State and play in the Canadian-American Lacrosse League, in a closely contested 13-10 match.
