Chiefs open MSL season with win over BLC despite off-floor politics

Photo by Darryl G. Smart

The Six Nations Chiefs and Brooklin Lacrosse Club did not want to disappoint a crowd of about 700 at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena on Bread and Cheese Day.
With a large crowd on hand for the holiday home opener, the Chiefs scored five times in the final frame to pull away with a 10-6 win over BLC.
Before the Chiefs’ third-period charge, Cody Ward tied the game up, before Dyson Williams gave BLC a lead. But the Chiefs came roaring back, with Marshall Powless, Kellen Leclair, Randy Staats, Kobe Whitcomb, and Vaughn Harris all scoring en route to the victory.
BLC started the game red hot with Williams and Matt Duncan scoring goals. This all happened after a 20 minute delay to the game because the Ontario Lacrosse Association did not assign officials to without telling either team.
In the second period, Sam Leclair led the way with a pair of goals, with Staats, Whitcomb, and Brendan Bomberry adding singles.
Williams and Mitch Wilde responded for BLC.
Dustin Hill and Chase Martin shared the win between the Chiefs pipes, while Nick Damude and Riley Hutchcraft shared the duties for BLC. The Chiefs out shot BLC 62-36.
Next up for the Chiefs is a road showdown with the Owen Sound Lacrosse Club on Saturday at 7pm.
 

GAME NOTES: The delay was a result of the OLA not assigning officials to the game without both teams knowing, because of the dispute between Major Series Lacrosse and the governing body. On Friday, the Chiefs were assured there would be a game and officials would be present in good faith. A letter to MSL and the Chiefs said, “...the OLA recognizes the significance of this event as well as the heritage of our game, and therefore we would be in agreement in having this MSL exhibition game as part of the event.”
MSL commissioner Doug Luey did assure the OLA that the league would abide by the decision from a tribunal via text. This was part of the stipulations set by the OLA to have the game take place.