Chiefs win third Mann Cup in four years

Photo by Tim Prothero

The Mann Cup has returned to Six Nations.
On the strength of a six-goal second period, the Six Nations Pro-Fit Chiefs captured its third Man Cup championship in four years with a 14-6 win over the Maple Ridge Burrards Wednesday at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena.
The Chiefs win the best-of-seven series 4-1 to claim the Canadian men's senior A lacrosse title.
"It's incredible," Randy Staats said. "It doesn't get better than this."
Staats led the way for the Chiefs,
scoring all three of his team's goals in the first period. The last, with 11 seconds remaining in the frame, gave the Chiefs a lead they would never give up. Staats, who is a favourite to win the National Lacrosse League Rookie of the Year, also handed out four assists.
Ryan Benesch also had a huge game, scoring four goals and two assists. Like Staats, this is his first Mann Cup championship.
"A lot of people say this is the hardest trophy in sports to win, and after this series I believe it," Benesch said. "We worked so hard to get here. We were down 3-0 in the Peterborough series (Major Series Lacrosse final) and we clawed our way back, so there was no way we were going to let that go to waste."
Cody Jamieson continued his legendary playoff run, adding another two goals and two assists, despite being hobbled up on one leg thanks to a knee injury.
Dan Dawson also added a pair of goals and five assists, which left him with a series-best 23 points. His efforts garnered him the Mann Cup Most Valuable Player award.
"You know what, this truly has been amazing," Dawson said. "It's an amazing playoff run led by some of the best players in the world. What more can you say about guys like Dillon Ward and Cody Jamieson?
"Dillon was incredible this entire series and was nearly perfect in the last four games against Peterborough," he said. "And then there's Cody. What he's done with the injury he has is nothing short of incredible. If this was baseball or hockey, someone would make a movie about him and what he's done to lead this team. This was also truly a team effort. Every single guy here contributed."
Adding one goal each was Brier Jonathan, Craig Point and Austin Staats.
For Austin Staats, this more than made up for not getting to the Minto Cup this year with the Six Nations Arrows. The junior A call up was one of many focal points on the Chiefs offence, and was a threat every time he had the ball.
The Mann Cup gives the 18-year-old four championships in as many years, winning the Founders Cup with the junior B Six Nations Rebels and two-straight Minto Cups with the Arrows. But what made this one more sweet, was being able to share it with his brother Randy.
"To be able to lift this is just awesome," Austin said. "But to do it with my brother is something you can't describe. To do it with him and have our family here is really special."