Dan Dawson makes an impact in Chiefs debut

Photo by Darryl Smart

You could excuse Dan Dawson if he had any butterflies heading to the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena Tuesday night.
On the contrary, the veteran was as calm as they come making his Six Nations Pro-Fit Chiefs debut, in a 10-7 win over the Brooklin Redmen.
"It was a little different, but I'm glad to be here," said Dawson, who along with his brother Paul and Ethan O'Connor were acquired from the Brampton Excelsiors Friday at the Major Series Lacrosse trade deadline. "There is so much tradition and history with the Chiefs and I'm very happy to be part of that.
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"I want to thank Brampton for the opportunity," he said. "I know the season didn't go as well as we all hoped to and that is a bit disappointing. I'm on borrowed time with my age in the lacrosse world. This is a great opportunity. I can't thank Brampton enough for what they've done for me over the years."
The owner of seven Mann Cup rings with the Excelsiors (five) and the Victoria Shamrocks (two) was an instant impact, creating space for his new teammates.
After the Redmen jumped out to a 3-1 lead midway through the first period, the Chiefs defence hunkered down and the offence was electric.
Johnny Powless and Cody Jamieson led the first-period attack, scoring twice each, while Randy Staats and Jordan Durston added one apiece.
Shayne Jackson, Derek Hopcroft and Dan Lintner scored for the Redmen.
Dawson, Craig Point and Vaughn Harris added to the lead in the second period, with Jackson, Reilly O'Connor and Lintner responding.
In the final frame, defence prevailed, with Harris notching his second of the game and Jackson responding with his third.
Dillon Ward was forced to make 38 saves in the win, while Zack Higgins made 31 down at the other end.
"This team has been very good this year and I don't want to disrupt the chemistry the team has," Dawson said. "I'm just going to do whatever it takes to be part of the team here. If its setting picks or grabbing loose balls, it doesn't matter. I just want to help the Chiefs win a championship."
Dawson said, though it was somewhat strange coming into the home end of the ILA. But it helped that several of his Rochester Knighthawks teammates are also on the Chiefs, which is making his transition an easy one.
"It's great to have that familiarity," Dawson said. "Chemistry is everything and it's nice that a guy like Cody (Jamieson) and I can carry that over from Rochester (the National Lacrosse League) to here. It's also nice playing with guys you play against like Randy (Staats). You get to appreciate their game being on the same side as them."
The Chiefs are back in action Friday in Oakville, before returning home to the ILA Tuesday at 8 p.m. against the Peterborough Lakers.