| Kawartha Lakes Minor Lacrosse Association |
The first of many to come; Fury earns first championship banner, eyes a second
Ron Druery
Lindsay Post
Sports - Friday, July 27, 2007
Why stop at one?
That's what the coaches and players of the Kawartha Lakes Newton Electric Fury are asking themselves after winning the Ontario Lacrosse Association (OLA) Zone 6 peewee D championship Wednesday at the Lindsay Recreation Complex. The Fury defeated the Uxbridge Enforcers 6-1 to claim the zone title.
The win allows the Kawartha Lakes Minor Lacrosse Association to raise its first championship banner to the ceiling of the Rec Complex.
"I'm happy as a coach because these kids have come a long way and I'm happy for the executive because they have something to show for their hard work," Fury coach Paul Hough told The Lindsay Post.
With a zone title now under its belt, the Fury will look to add a second championship banner at the provincial championships, which will be held on the Civic Holiday weekend in Whitby.
"We think we have a shot to add a second one," Hough said.
"If we don't, it won't be because of the team's talent," captain Tom Weber added. "It'll be because we didn't put in enough effort."
Hough's belief is shared by others throughout the OLA. A website that dubs itself as the unofficial OLA website predicts the Fury to be playing in the D division provincial final Aug. 5.
Hough believes the Fury can reach the final. His confidence in his team is at an all-time high now that it's found some consistency.
"We've strung together four good games in a row now where we've played well for all 45 minutes," he said.
Although the club has had solid goaltending all season from Josh O'Neill, who got the win Wednesday, and Mac Langford, the defensive play has just started to turn around.
Wednesday's game was a prime example of this as Uxbridge had a number of shot clock violations. The Fury didn't allow the Enforcers to get into a position to get a shot on goal.
On Wednesday, the Fury came out of the gate a little hesitant as it had to overcome some early jitters and adjust to Uxbridge's new defensive scheme.
"I think there were some nerves and Uxbridge was playing a tight zone we hadn't seen before," Hough said.
Kawartha Lakes finally broke through at the 10:27 mark of the first period when Sam McGriskin scored on a play set up by Liam Newton and Earl Westlake. The Fury made it a two-goal advantage less than three minutes later when Jacob Halsall netted a power-play marker with 1:47 left in the frame. Tom Weber drew the lone assist.
This was a huge goal for the Fury.
"It let the kids breathe a little bit easier," Hough said. "You kind of saw a different team after that."
The Fury put the game out of reach in the second period with a three-goal outburst. Zachary Gilmore, Hayden Ryan and Nic Williams scored for the home side. Gilmore, with two, Westlake and Riley Smith were awarded the assists.
Kawartha Lakes pumped in the sixth goal of the game 2:27 into the final frame on a goal by Newton. O'Neill picked up the assist.
O'Neill's shutout bid was broken with 5:34 left in the third when Uxbridge's John Owen bounced a shot over the netminder's shoulder and into the top corner.
The Fury will spend the upcoming week practicing in preparation for the provincial championships.
Kawartha Lakes is in a pool with Stayner, Sun County and Six Nations. The local club opens pool play Aug. 3 against Stayner. The Fury then play Sun County and Six Nations the following day.
If Kawartha Lakes finishes first in its pool they will have a bye to Sunday's final. If the Fury comes second, it will have to play in one of the semifinal games Sunday morning.