Chiefs make history en route to MSL title

It may have taken three games to do it, but the Six Nations Pro-Fit Chiefs heated up. And in the process punched their ticket to host the Mann Cup, making a little bit of history in the process.

The Chiefs exploded for five goals in the third period Saturday night to beat the Peterborough Lakers 10-7, taking the Major Series Lacrosse championship in seven games.

It’s the first time in MSL history, a team was down 0-3 to win the title and earn the right to represent Ontario at the Mann Cup

“Don’t call it a comeback,” Chiefs coach Rich Kilgour said. “It’s a reverse sweep. This was our series from day one. We just had to believe in ourselves and stay the course. You don’t pull something like this off without everyone contributing. And everyone did.”

Among those players pulling the rope was Cody Jamieson, who may have created legend status with his efforts.

Not in the lineup the first three games with a knee injury, Jamieson came back in Game 4, sparking the Chiefs the rest of the way. Saturday he scored twice, including the game-tying goal three minutes into the third period, that started the charge.

“When we were down 3-0 and there was a guy that said, give me a knee brace because I’m coming in,” Kilgour said. “After that, we went 4-0. Unbelievable.”

Jamieson admitted, at first he was tentative with the brace. But after a couple of shifts everything was fine.

“I just wanted to get out there and help the guys,” Jamieson said earlier in the series. “I want to be out there with them. I’m not a fan of just sitting there and watching. I did whatever I could to get back out there.”

Another pulling that rope was series Most Valuable Player Dillon Ward.

After three games that were admittedly not his best, Ward refocused and was at time unbeatable.

“I know I didn’t play as well as I wanted,” Ward said. “I just had to get back at it and focus on what I had to do to do my part.”

Saturday, he made 45 stops, including 17 in the first period, when the Lakers tried to take a lead but could only stay even. And in the third period, his only blemish came late in the game when the Lakers had the extra attacker.

Dhane Smith scored three goals for the Chiefs, with Jamieson, Randy Staats and Austin Staats netting two goals each. Dan Dawson added one.

John Grant Jr. did what he could to keep his summer career alive, scoring a pair to lead the Lakers in his final game before hanging them up in the MSL. Mark Steenhuis also scored twice, while Adam Jones, Chad Culp and Cory Vitarelli added a goal each.

The Chiefs now host the Maple Ridge Burrards in a best-of-seven series to determine the Mann Cup champion. The Burrards upset the defending champion Victoria Shamrocks in the Western Lacrosse League final.

Game 1 of the Mann Cup final is Friday, with Game 2 set for Saturday at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena. All games are at 8 p.m.

Six Nations Chiefs vs Maple Burrards

Best-of-seven Mann Cup final

All games at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena

Game 1 Sept 9 8 p.m.

Game 2 Sept 10 8 p.m.

Game 3 Sept 12 8 p.m.

Game 4 Sept 13 8 p.m.

Game 5 Sept 14 8 p.m.

Game 6 Sept 16 8 p.m.

Game 7 Sept 17 8 p.m.