NOUVELLES

Thursday August 21, 2008
Source: www.mohawklax.com 

Mohawks down Tri-City, advance to semi-final

By: Greg Horn
K103radio.com

EDMONTON, AB:  The Kahnawake Mohawks took control of their own destiny Wednesday night when they defeated the Tri-City Bandits 10-5. The win against the Bandits guaranteed the Mohawks would advance to the playoff round of the 2008 President's Cup tournament.

Once again the Mohawks started out slow and finished the first period down 2-0 on goals by Russ Heard and Timm Hamm. But the Mohawks came out gunning in the second period knowing a berth in the semi-finals was at stake. Just 40 seconds into the second Louis Alfred scored the Mohawks first goal. The goal was scored shorthanded while Lance Mitchell was serving a four-minute double minor for cross checking. On the same penalty kill Callum Crawford scored the equalizer for the Mohawks.

Then at 5:21 Crawford scored on the power play to give the Mohawks a 3-2 lead. Less than a minute later, at 6:13 Raj Wasson scored his second of the tournament to give the Mohawks a 4-2 lead. At 9:09 Crawford turned his hat trick, and that goal was once again shorthanded.

Tri-City's Heard scored his second of the game at 15:30 on the power play to put a stop to five unanswered Mohawks goals. Mitchell was soon to answer back, scoring two more to close out the second period giving the Mohawks a 7-3 lead.

Going into the third the Bandits tried to mount a counterattack and netted two consecutive goals from Clarke Malcolm and Jarett Dormen at 3:36 and 11:48. But the Mohawks offense proved to be too strong as Crawford, Alfred and Mitchell each scored to close out the game giving the Mohawks a 10-5 win.

The win didn't come without a price, as Mohawks defenseman Sylvain Laroche injured his knee and is most likely done for the tournament. If he is indeed gone for the tournament the Mohawks would be without their top face-off man.

The Mohawks must wait to see how the rest of the teams finish the round robin portion of the tournament to determine who and when they play next. They will either play tomorrow at 6 p.m. (EDT) or 10 p.m. (EDT). Stay tuned to K103 for more information.

Coverage of the 2008 Presidents Cup on K103 and www.k103radio.com is brought to you by Goodleaf's Auto and Recycling and the Caisse Populaire Kahnawake.

Wednesday August 20, 2008
Source: www.kahnawakelacrosse.com

Text and photo by Greg Horn
K103radio.com

The Kahnawake Mohawks were looking to improve to 2-0 when they took on the host Sherwood Park Outlaws in their second game of the 2008 Presidents Cup tournament. This game was a rematch of sorts between these two teams from the bronze medal match of the 2005 Presidents Cup tournament in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario.

That game ended with the Outlaws claiming the bronze by downing the Mohawks 7-4. That game was also marred by a brawl in which 96 penalty minutes were levied and many players from both teams were suspended for the following season, some going into multiple seasons.

This was an important game for the two teams as both wanted to improve to 2-0 to try to solidify first place in their respective groupings. The game started with action seen on both sides of the floor with Mohawks netminder Ben Vanevery and his Outlaws counterpart Grant McLeod making spectacular saves.

Then at 5:41 Sherwood Park’s Colin Sherbanuk struck first to give his team a 1-0 lead. The Kahnawake Mohawks didn’t stay behind for very long as Curry Rice netted his first of the tournament at 11:31 to tie it at 1-1. However, at 13:56 Ben Prepchuk scored an unassisted goal to give the Outlaws a 2-1 lead, which went into the first intermission.

At 4:23 Dan Bostrom gave the Outlaws a 3-1 lead. But at 7:06 Mohawks sniper Lance Mitchell scored on the power play. The play was set up by Callum Crawford, who dished it off to Louis Alfred, who then passed it to Mitchell who blasted it over the shoulder of McLeod to make it 3-2.

Then at 10:28 of the second, Mohawks defenseman Clay Kirby was assessed at five minute major for checking from behind. On the ensuing power play both Prepchuk and Stu Sterparn scored to give the Outlaws a 5-2 lead, which stood going into the second intermission.

Sterparn then gave his team a 6-2 lead at 5:15 of the third period. Just two minutes later Mitchell dished it off to Mike Dube, who was deep in the offensive zone and used his quick hands and beat McLeod over the shoulder to make it 6-3.

Then just before the ten-minute mark Dave McCrimmon netted what could have been a backbreaking seventh goal. McCrimmon’s shot hit the post and shot out across the goal line, but never appeared to cross it. However, the game’s official ruled it a goal and the Mohawks were down 7-3 with ten minutes to go in the game.

As the Mohawks tried to mount a comeback, head coach Barry Alfred pulled Vanevery to give his team a 5-on-4 advantage as both Pat Collins and Outlaws Kevin Hobday were serving penalties. The move worked as Alfred passed to Curtis Diabo, who beat McLeod with a nice bounce-shot. The score was now 7-4 with the Mohawks surging. Then with just two-and-a-half minutes left Diabo netted another to make the score 7-5.

Vanevery was pulled again to give the Mohawks a man-advantage. However, they were unable to capitalize and Peter Gut scored on the empty net. The final score was 8-5.

It is interesting to note that the Outlaws are made up of a number of National Lacrosse League players, including Jimmy Quinlan, Prepchuk, Rory Glaves, Peter Gut, all of the Edmonton Rush as well as Rush assistant coach Chris Stachniak. Calgary Roughnecks Ryan McNish also plays for the Outlaws.

The Mohawks will take on the Tri-City Bandits (B.C.) tonight live on K103 and K103radio.com at 8 p.m.

Coverage of the 2008 Presidents Cup on K103 Kahnawake and k103radio.com is brought to you by Goodleaf’s Auto and Recycling and the Caisse Populaire Kahnawake.

Source: www.kahnawakelacrosse.com
Text and photo by Greg Horn
K103radio.com

EDMONTON, AB - The Kahnawake Mohawks had a game plan and stuck to it in their opening game of the 2008 Presidents Cup in Sherwood Park, Alberta against Airdrie Knights. The success of the Knights team all year in the Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League was their discipline Mohawks dominate Knights in Presidents Cup opener.

This team doesn’t take a lot of penalties and capitalizes when their opponents go into the box.

Going into this game the Mohawks coaching staff made up of Barry Alfred, Kevin Biggs and Eric Jacobs told their charges to play very disciplined lacrosse and not to get into penalty trouble. The Quebec Senior Lacrosse League Champs stuck to that game plan to a T and came out on top. The Mohawks took only four minutes in penalties to the Knights’ eight.

Both these teams came out gunning and the goaltenders had to stand on their heads to keep their respective teams in the game. Airdrie’s Rob McGowean was the first to strike netting one off a pass from Chad Evans and beating Ben Vanevery at 10:40 of the first period.

Just under six minutes later Lance Mitchell made a pass to Callum Crawford to net the equalizer for the Mohawks. The first period ended in a deadlock with the Mohawks outshooting the Knights 15-10.

At the start of the second period it looked like it was going to be more of the same as both teams had spectacular chances. Then at 4:51 Mitchell opened the floodgates scoring two 34 seconds apart. Just 35 seconds later, Curtis Diabo passed to Tontie McComber, who buried his first of the 2008 Presidents Cup tournament.

Then one of the Mohawks defensive specialists Clay Kirby scored on consecutive breakaway passes just 49 seconds apart. Assists went to Ryan “Chucky” McComber and Bobby Delaronde. Then at 15:21, Kirby passed the ball to Crawford who netted his second of the game. At the end of two periods of play the Mohawks held a comfortable 7-1 lead.

During the intermission Airdrie head coach Keith Berg must have fired up his team as McGowean netted his second of the game just 47 seconds into the third period. What spark that created for the Knights squad was soon extinguished as Chris Konopoliff scored at 1:43. Then at 4:12 Mohawks defender Pat Collins took a holding penalty and Aidrie went to work on their second power play of the game. However, Kirby passed to Crawford, who scored his hat trick while shorthanded at 4:51.

Evans was able to convert on the power play with two seconds left in the penalty to make the score 9-3. Raj Wasson scored the Mohawks final goal at 7:08. The final score was 10-3 for the Mohawks.

The Mohawks are in action again tonight at 10 p.m. (EDT) against the host Sherwood Park Outlaws.

Coverage of the 2008 Presidents Cup on K103 Kahnawake and www.k103radio.com is brought to you by Goodleaf’s Auto and Recycling and the Caisse Populaire Kahnawake.

Sunday July 27, 2008

The Indians battled the Mohawks last night in game one of the QSLL finals. Jon Kane gave the Indians an early lead with his first of three goals at 29 seconds. Mohawks' Tontie McComber replied at 2:45 to tie the game and the score would remain the same (1-1) after one period. One thing is certain, you could feel the intensity. Both teams playing in front of their own community.

Louis Alfred gave his team the lead at 2:49 into the second period but this would be shortlived as Indians' Ben Green scored 4 seconds later. Game was tied again at 2. Both teams exchanged goals to tie it at 3 but Mohawks' Chris Konopliff netted one at 17:04 and Mohawks took a one goal lead at the second intermision, Winston Goodleaf missing an open net at 1 second.

Regrettably, an incident at the end of second period got everyone at the edge of their seat when Jon Kane sent Colin Diabo to the floor with a 5 minute major (highstick). Diabo was taken to hospital for examination. Jon and the entire Indians' organisation wish Colin and his family all the best and prompt recovery. Of note, Jon Kane got a one game suspension.

Mohawk's Al Jones took matter out of his own hands and scored twice at 8:24 and again at 12:28 in the third to give his team a 3 goal lead. For those of you who think the game was called for at that point, think again. With less than 5 minutes left in the game, the Indians made a spectacular comeback with goals from Eddy Dickson at 16:39 and Jon Kane's second and third of the evening at 17:12 and 19:55. The game was again tied for the fourth time and a 10 minute overtime was forced by the Indians. This last goal came after coach Stacey called a timeout with 27 seconds left in the game and 24 seconds left on the shotclock. Stacey pulled his netminder Fortier to overload Mohawks defenders. It paid off. 

Pumped, the Indians intended of taking this game and gave everything. But faith chose otherwise. Kaniat Deer hit the post and Kevin Cator missed a breakaway shooting wide on Ben Vanevery. As in most sports, when you miss your chance, the opponent takes the advantage. That's exactly what happenned, Louis Alfred and Chris Konopliff  burried one each at 5:33 and 6:28 of the overtime and Mohawks took game one.

The Indians had the same number of occasions as the Mohawks with 51 shots. The difference lies on the powerplay goals. Mohawks capitalised on 4 occasions and the Indians only twice. Both teams had 1 shorthanded goal. All this to say that any of these two teams have a chance to win. This is what makes this series exceptionnally interesting and fans enjoyed every minute of it.

Game #2 of this best of 7 finals will be held on Tuesday night at 8 as the Indians host the Mohawks. We hope to see you in great numbers to support the Indians in their battle for the 2008 championship.

Les Dinomytes se sont inclinés 9-5 mardi
L'équipe de crosse senior déménage à Vaudreuil
Eric Tremblay

Après quatre ans à Valleyfield, les Warriors/Dinomytes, l'équipe de crosse senior, a déménagé ses pénates à Vaudreuil tout juste avant d'amorcer les séries.

C'est le 7 juillet, lors d'une réunion de la ligue senior, que les Dinomytes ont officialisé leur transfert à Vaudreuil. Quatre jours plus tard, ils étaient 95 dans les gradins pour assister au dernier match de crosse senior au Centre sportif de Saint-Timothée, une victoire de 4-3 contre les Mohawks de Kahnawake.

Ce départ précipité et sans avis survient à la suite d'une entente entre les Dinomytes et l'aréna de Vaudreuil. Le coût de la surface se situe autour de 45 $/h incluant le chronométreur et le marqueur comparativement à 120 $ taxe en sus pour les Centres sportifs de Salaberry-de-Valleyfield.

Manon Pigeon, présidente des Astérix et membre du conseil d'administration de la Ligue de crosse senior du Québec se questionne sur l'avenir de la discipline de façon compétitive à Valleyfield et le maire Denis Lapointe est d'ailleurs avisé de la situation.

Départ cahoteux à Vaudreuil
Devant 135 personnes réunies à Vaudreuil mardi, les Dinomytes ont perdu 9-5 le premier duel de leur série les opposant aux Indians de Caughnawaga. Ces derniers ont brisé les reins des Dinomytes en marquant trois buts en fin de deuxième.

Thursday July 24, 2008

The Indians took on the Dinomytes in game 5 last night and came on top with a 13 - 4 victory. Valleyfield started the game where they left it on Monday. Raj Wasson scored to give his team an early lead and was all over the Indians. All the credit goes to Fortier who managed to keep his team in the game.

Dinomytes were leading 2 - 1 after 16 minutes in the first period but Winston Goodleaf tied it up to 2 - 2 and the Indians never looked back from then on. They went on to score 3 unanswered goals in just 90 seconds, taking the lead 5 - 2 at the first intermission.

The Indians won the second period 3 - 0 and the third 5 - 2. Ben Green finished the night with 4 goals and 3 assists, Heath Bordeau 2 goals 4 assists, Jon Kane  2 goals 2 assists, Cody Delormier 2 goals, Kaniat Deer 1 goal 2 assists, Chad Norton and Winston Goodleaf with a goal and an assist each. Brock Freeman had 3 assists also.

The Indians now advance to the FINALS and will meet the Mohawks in a best of 7 series. The Mohawks also ended their series with an 8 - 1 win over the Sherbrooke Extreme on Tuesday. 

The first game of this series will be held this Saturday July 26 at the Kahanwake Sports Complex at 8 PM. The rest of the schedule will be confirmed in the coming days and will published ASAP.

The champions will get to represent the QSLL at the 2008 Presidents' Cup in Edmonton, Alberta. The tournament is sheduled to start on August 18 as Quebec takes on the ILA. More info to come.

L’Extrême rend les armes devant Kahnawake

Sherbrooke, le 22 juillet 2008 – On savait que le duel serait inégale entre les deux formations mais l’entraîneur de l’Extrême senior Damien Roy était persuadé que ses joueurs pourraient causer une certaine surprise contre les Mohawks. Le rêve n’aura duré finalement que quatre parties puisque les visiteurs ont gagné une quatrième partie de suite dans cette série, par la marque de 8 à 1 à l’aréna Ivan-Dugré.
Les visiteurs se sont encore une fois amusés comme des fous au dépend de la défensive sherbrookoise, mitraillant le gardien Pascal Nolet d’au-delà de 55 lancers. Callum Crawford a dirigé l’attaque des siens avec une contribution de 3 buts et 2 passes. Les autres marqueurs des Mohawks sont Curtis Diabo (2), Al Jones (2) et Louis Alfred (1 but et 4 passes). Le seul marqueur de l’Extrême fut Mitch Young, un but marqué à 5 :22 de la 3e période alors que le pointage était de 7-0.

Il fallait s’y attendre, la frustration s’est fait sentir du côté des locaux qui on sombré dans l’indiscipline en 2e et en 3e période. Alex Dubé a d’ailleurs été expulsé de la partie en 2e période pour mise en échec par derrière. Les officiels Ronald Groleau et Ghislain Sonier ont distribué un total de 117 minutes de pénalités dont 86 à l’Extrême. Sur ces 86 minutes, 61 ont été donné en 3e période. Avec 4 minutes à faire à la rencontre, les arbitres ont arrêté la partie puisque la situation commençait à s’envenimer sur la surface de jeu de même que dans les estrades où des partisans se sont mis à lancés des objets en direction des officiels.

Sur la séquence, le Sherbrookois Nicolas Gagné à été chassé pour inconduite grossière en plus de recevoir une punition de match pour avoir molesté un officiel.

C’est donc de cette façon que s’est terminé la 2e saison de l’Extrême senior. Au nom de toute l’organisation, merci à vous gens des médias et à tout nos commanditaires pour votre appui et on espère de nouveau compter sur vous l’an prochain !

Source :  Steve Gosselin, relationniste
  L’Extrême senior de Sherbrooke
Courriel :  shalat@videotron.ca

Indians played with fire and got burned

Tuesday July 22, 2008

Said it before, the Indians play a very dangerous game and last night was the perfect example. Again, Indians took too many penalties, 10 in total, and the Dinomytes cashed in on 4 of them. Of note, Valleyfield floored only 14 runners to add to the insult.

Dinomytes' Raj Wasson showed the Indians a trick or two with his 7 points (5,2), and so did Jeff Salmon with 6 points (2,4). Wasson was shooting from all cylinders.

Indians' goals came from 6 different players: Chad Norton, Brock Freeman, Cody Delormier, Ben Green, Kevin Castor, and Charlie Goodleaf.

Indians' netminders Fortier and McComber faced 45 shots wehereas Vallyefield's McFarlane faced 36 shots. 

Indians still lead the series 3 - 1 and will try to end it on Wednesday as they visit the Dinomytes at the Vaudreuil arena. Game time is 7.30 PM.