Staats, Kirk and Miller bring home MSL awards

Photos by Darryl Smart

When the Six Nations Pro-fit Chiefs protected Randy Staats prior to the Major Series Lacrosse draft, they knew they were getting a special player.
And the league found out as well.
On Monday, MSL announced its annual awards, with Staats, as well as the goaltending tandem of Brandon Miller and Evan Kirk leading the way.
Staats had a fantastic first campaign with the Chiefs and for his efforts earned the Gene Dopp Trophy, the award given to the Most Outstanding Rookie.
In 13 regular season games, Staats scored 14 goals and 19 assists. Most importantly, he was a catalyst offensively for the Chiefs, who were missing many of its regulars throughout the season. His 33 points was fourth best on the Chiefs.

Kirk and Miller once again proved to be a dynamic duo between the Chiefs pipes, earning the Harry Lumley Trophy, for the goaltenders with the best defensive records.
Miller led MSL in goals against average, with a 7.35 mark in eight games, while Kirk was fourth, with a 8.12 GAA in 17 games. Miller also led the league in save percentage, which was .820.
While the Chiefs earned a pair of awards, Mark Steenhuis, of the Peterborough Lakers was named Most Valuable Player and receives the Jim Murphy Award.
Steehuis led the league in scoring with 83 points, to earn the Bucko MacDonald Trophy. His 83 points was 26 in front of second place Shayne Jackson, of the Brooklin Redmen.
The Merve McKenzie Trophy for Most Valuable Defensive Player belongs to Joey Cupido, of the Kitchener-Waterloo Kodiaks and Brad Self of the Lakers.

GAME 3
The MSL final resumes Tuesday at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena, when the Chiefs host the Lakers at 8 p.m. The Lakers hold a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven final series.
Admission for Tuesday's game is $12 for adults, $5 for children and seniors. Reserved seating costs $20. For more information, call the Arrow Express Sports office 905-768-2225