Canku Ota

(Many Paths)

An Online Newsletter Celebrating Native America

June 14, 2003 - Issue 89

Iroquois Nationals Take Silver at Inaugural WILC

The Iroquois Nationals took on the best in the world at the inaugural World Indoor Lacrosse Championships and almost came out on top. Last Saturday, the guys in purple and gold took on Team Canada for the gold medal at Hamilton's Copps Coliseum. In their first meeting of the tournament Team Canada prevailed by a score of 15-13; the Iroquois Nationals' first and only loss of the round-robin portion of the tournament.

Canada dominated the entire tournament and the Iroquois Nationals continued to net 20 goals a game heading on a collision course towards each other for the WILC final. Canada rolled over the U.S. in the quarterfinal 17-9. The Iroquois Nationals crushed Scotland 22-8 setting the final between the Iroquois Nationals and Team Canada.

Going into the game the Iroquois Nationals head coach Darris Kilgour said for his team to win they would need a solid game out of goaltender Derek General. He also said that they would need a stingy defence to cut down on Canada's playmaking ability. Canada's defense was able to stop the Iroquois Nationals offence, which had scored 100 goals during the round-robin portion of the tournament. The Iroquois Nationals were able to score 13 on Canada in their first meeting of the tournament.

Canada took control of the game early on and had a 12-2 lead by halftime. After the first quarter Team Canada scored five goals while the Iroquois Nationals managed only five shots on net.

The first Iroquois Nationals goal came off the stick of Duane Jacobs 8:41 into the second quarter. With that goal the Iroquois Nationals cut Canada's lead to 10-1. By the end of the first half the Iroquois Nationals netted two goals and totalled 15 shots.

Canada's offence was led by John Grant Jr., and former Montreal Express star Tracey Kelusky. Canada scored in almost every situation; shorthanded; on the power play; and at full strength.

"It was a good 12 days," Iroquois Nationals General Manager Rusty Doxtdator said. "We played good, except for the 12th day."

Doxtdator said that when this team was put together they focussed on players who excel in box lacrosse rather than in field lacrosse. However, he said that some players on this team do play for the Iroquois Nationals field lacrosse team also.

The players on this silver medal-winning team usually find themselves playing against each other during league play, whether that be in the National Lacrosse League, Ontario Lacrosse League or in the Can/Am League.

"They fight like hell against each other on their regular teams," Doxtdator said. "But they really came together nicely. There was a real brotherhood there."

Team Canada's team was made up entirely of professional players who normally play in the NLL. While the Iroquois Nationals team had 13 of its 23 players who play in the NLL.

This Iroquois Nationals team is expected to play in next year's Heritage Cup. The next World Indoor Lacrosse Championship will be held in 2007 in the Czech Republic.

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