BLC Play Tough Against Defending Mann Cup Champions

By Mark Stehlin

The Brooklin Lacrosse Club (BLC) honoured the memory of their fallen teammate and legend, Scott McMichael on a night that is dedicated to minor lacrosse. He focused his time and energy as a player in encouraging young players to strive for their best while playing the sport. McMichael would have been proud of the efforts of young BLC players who were up against an experienced Six Nations Chiefs squad. The final score was 11-6 in favour of the Chiefs and left them undefeated on the season. In a pre-game ceremonial face-off, Scott’s mother Donna and sister Chrissy were joined by Adam Perroni, acting captain for BLC and Chiefs captain, Cody Jamieson.

“It was a special night and we wanted to put on a good performance, of course we aim for that every night. I’m really happy with the effort, we didn’t shy away, and I was proud of the compete level out there,” said Joel Johnson, head coach after the game.

BLC welcomed Lucas Littlejohn back to the line-up after an absence due to surgery required to remove an appendix. He made the trip to Peterborough on Thursday night in street clothes where he signalled  his return. He made an immediate impact scoring two hard-earned goals on Saturday night.

“It took me a couple of shifts to get my legs back, but it was good to be out there with the guys tonight. It was good to see the ball go in the net again, and I’m hoping for a few more down the stretch here. After the surgery, the doctors had me on a strict plan but after a few weeks I was able to get back to the gym and I feel stronger every day,” said Littlejohn.

It was the home side that got on the board first. Cam Acchione scored a highlight reel goal as he drifted from deep in the offensive zone to the slot and fired one low that got behind Chiefs starter Warren Hill. The Chiefs responded with three unanswered in that first frame to take a 3-1 lead to break.

- photo c/o Steven Wizniuk 

Littlejohn with his first of two, put his team in position to close the gap. Once again, the Chiefs rallied with four unanswered including a pair of power play goals to stretch the lead to 7-2 after forty minutes.

The goal scoring in the last period was intermittent and BLC fought to limit any Chiefs runs. Twice in the first four minutes of the final the Chiefs scored only to have BLC respond mere seconds later. With the score 11-4 and the clock ticking down, BLC managed two late goals and at the buzzer it was an 11-6 final in favour of the visitors.

Aden Walsh for BLC and Hill in the Chiefs net faced 50 and 47 shots, respectively.

BLC will next be in action on Saturday July 4 at 7 pm in Owen Sound before they return home on Wednesday July 8 at 8 pm to host the Oakville Rock.