Ontario Junior Men's Field Lacrosse League

Semi Finals – Defending Champions Niagara Raiders had their hands full with a re-match of last year’s finals with the red-hot Orangeville Generals. Niagara Raiders rode their 3-1 half-time lead to a nail-biting 5-3 victory (we double checked – they were indeed the 6 x 6 nets in that game!) to earn themselves a shot at a second consecutive title. Oshawa Blue Knights had the unenviable task of taking on a team that nobody wanted to face in this round of play-offs. Six Nations proved to be everything Oshawa thought they would be as they found themselves 18 seconds away from taking the east-bound on-ramp of the 401 back home when the Blue Knights offence found the back of Six Nations net to force OT. Oshawa struck first in OT only to have Six Nations fire back less than a minute later. The second OT half was action packed as the only goal of that frame came off of a Blue Knights offensive set with 56 ticks on the clock. The last few seconds of the game proved pretty exciting, but Six Nations just couldn’t get the opportunity they needed to keep their chances alive.

It really was not too surprising that these two teams ended up facing each other in the finals, but there is absolutely no doubting that Niagara and Oshawa earned their way to the opportunity to be crowned the DI champs of the 2009 season. Niagara showed their diversity and athleticism as they played a completely different style against Oshawa than they did in their semi-final game. Their run and gun style lead them to an 8-5 half-time lead. Both defences tightened up in the second half and kept the other team’s offensive prowess in check. Oshawa’s late game heroics just were not to be repeated as the Niagara Raiders were crowned Champions for a second consecutive season on the heels of their 11-8 victory.

Special thanks to one of our players in our league, Brennan Donville, who provided us with some highlights of the DI Championship game and posted them on youtube.

What was on paper, arguable the most intriguing semi-final game of the day, saw the Toronto Beaches storm out to an 8-1 half-time lead over the league’s most improved club this year, Mississauga. Both teams traded off goals in the second half on way to a 12-5 Toronto victory.

Peterborough, 12-0 in the regular season, faced off against 4^th seeded Oshawa (II) Blue Knights; a young team that just snuck into the DII play-off picture in the final week-end of the season. If this match up wasn’t the closest we had to resembling David and Goliath, I’m not sure what was. Well, it wasn’t a clean knock-out by any means, but the Blue Knights did the virtually unthinkable and edged out a thrilling 7-6 victory over the favorites with some incredible ball movement and attackman play late in the game.

On to the finals: the big, physical, and talented Toronto Beaches team was ready. The Jr. Blue Knights were on a high.  The Beach ran out to a quick 2 – zip lead and a 5-3 first quarter lead. Oshawa wasn’t ready to give in. After all, they just knocked off the Division favorites. They clawed their way back to a 6-6 half-time tie. This was just what the Blue Knights needed as they rode their White Horses all the way to an 11-9 Division II Championship. This just might be Disney material. Move over ‘Miracle’ and ‘Remember the Titans’!!

Both semi-final games were won in rather uneventful fashion. Mimico capitalized early and often as they handled K-W on way to a 10-1 victory. Newmarket will only gain from their experience in the play-offs, but they were just a step behind the determined London Jr. ‘Stangs in a 10-2 final.

Both Mimico and London had consistent and successful seasons. Both teams provided good competition and won the games they should have this season. Both teams deserved to be playing for the DIII championship. On this day, London was not to be denied. They methodically took their opportunities and cashed in on just enough of them to lead 3-0 at half–time. Mimico came to within a 4-2 score in the 3^rd, but that was as close as they got as London, on the strength of the offensive quarterbacking of Thomas Masterson at attack, continued to break down Mimico’s hopes  on way to an 8-3 final and the Division III Championship.

Congratulations to all of our 3 Divisional winners this season. Wear your OJMFLL commemorative touque with pride!

It was another beautiful day for Fall Field Lacrosse – no doubt. The great thing about it was that it wasn’t just because of the weather. The success of this season and this league and the Championship Day is a true tribute to the people involved. From players to coaches to managers, from parents to refs to fellow executive members; your passion and dedication to the game is commendable.

As we look forward to the off season, I hope you will check back here as we will continue to keep you up to date with league news and events, as well as information from the lacrosse world in general.