Canada will dance with its eternal partner, the United States, in the 2006 World Lacrosse Championships Final on Saturday. The Canadians saw off a spirited but ultimately doomed challenge from the Iroquois, who attempted to kill any transition by sitting in various inverts – to the extent that they were receiving stall warnings in the second quarter while they were already losing.
Jeff Zywicki continued an excellent tournament, with five goals and an assist, three of the goals coming off a pass from John Grant Junior. Grant also found Gary Gait for his only goal of the game, leaving the former Delaware attackman with four assists on the day. Zymicki’s form has been a fantastic boost for the hosts, who were extremely concerned that Tom Marechek’s injury would leave them short at the offensive end. Marechek is still recovering from a hamstring ailment, but is intending to be available for the final. As it stands Canadian Head Coach Frank Nielsen can now start with Zywicki and use Marechek in short bursts off the bench.
For the first time this tournament, the Canadian’s displayed a ruthless streak, and worked hard in the second quarter to put the game beyond their opponents. Doyle, Prout, Zywicki, and Snider all finished shots in a decisive five goal run that put the hosts up 12 – 2. Brett Bucktooth, who again displayed tremendous ability to carry the ball under extreme duress, grabbed the last goal of the third quarter and the first of the fourth to bring the Iroquois back to 14 – 6, but it was the last of the Native American’s resistance and Canada tagged on two late goals to finish 16 – 6 victors.
Geoff Snyder, the Canadian face off specialist, continued his personal assault on the championships, winning his 124th face-off (of 167 – that’s 76%) against the Iroquois. To put that into perspective, if you take all of the players that have taken a face-off for the USA so far these championships – That’s Doug Shanahan, Kyle Harrison, Kevin Cassese, Casey Powell and Nicky Polanco, and add up all the centres they have won, you get 92.
