Last week, the Six Nations Chiefs clinched the Mann Cup trophy, after beating the Victoria Shamrocks 13-9 in the fifth game of the best-of-seven Senior A box lacrosse championships.
“Overall, we had a great series, which is odd to say when you lose four games to one, but I was really proud,” said the Shamrocks’ head coach Mike Simpson. “That’s an elite team that we played, with some of the best players in the world, and our guys never took a backward step. We looked them in the eye an said let’s play and hung in there and gave them all they could handle.”
The championship, which pits the best western Canadian team against against the best eastern outfit, took place at the Chiefs’ home rink in Hagersville, Ontario, from Friday, Sept. 6 to Wednesday, Sept. 11.
Since the Chiefs were founded in 31 years ago, the team has won the Mann Cup seven times, while the Shamrocks have won eight times in 74 years.
“What they are is an incredible collection of talent,” said Simpson. “They’re incredibly strong and deep. They can rest guys, or when guys are on the bench, the guys that come out are still elite players.”
Given the Chiefs' lineup, the Shamrocks performed well – in the third, fourth and fifth games, Victoria lost by only two, three and four points, respectively.
“We weren’t overwhelmed," said Simpson. "We just fell to a team that was a bit more talented and deeper and more experienced and that’s okay.”
This year, the Shamrocks broke the Western Lacrosse Association (WLA) record for the most consecutive wins and became the only team to win every regular season game.
“At the end of the day, we had great year," said Simpson. "We didn't quite reach the top of the mountain, but I think we’ll remember this team for a long time."
Next season, the winner of the WLA championships will host the Mann Cup, and Simpson hopes the Shamrocks will get the chance to face the Chiefs again – this time on home turf.
"The guys are ready to get back at ‘er and want another shot at them," he said.
As for Simpson, he hopes to remain the Shamrocks' head coach for another year.
“Given the opportunity, I probably have one year left in me," he said. "I would like to finish what we started."
