CONGRATULATIONS SIX NATIONS ARROWS
The fourth time proved a charm for the Six Nations Arrows Express as they captured their second Minto Cup in franchise history with a 19 - 8 victory over the Burnaby Lakers on Saturday afternoon. The Arrows Express dominated the game from start to finish building up an 8 - 1 lead after the first period. They continued their scoring barrage in the second period and took a 12 - 3 lead into the third period before scoring seven more goals in the third period for the 19 - 8 final.
After playing a couple sub par games in the round robin and winning on a last second goal in the semi final game, the Arrows Express played a great game in the championship. Playing in front of many fans from all around New Westminster with drums beating throughout the game and also in front of a national TV audience on Rogers Sportsnet the Arrows Express played like a team possessed. With Ben VanEvery playing solid in goal and Sid Smtih leading the defense the Arrows Express held the Lakers at bay. The offensive scoring stars who had been struggling in the previous games came out to play led by Cody Jamieson’s six goal effort along with 2 assists, Craig Point’s 5 goals and Shawn Evans 11 point game with 3 goals and 8 assists the Arrows Express exploded for their biggest goal output in a long time. Captain Sid Smith playing in his final junior game had a goal and 2 assists to cap off a brilliant junior career having led the Arrows Express to three straight Minto Cup appearances. Other Arrows Express goals were scored by Holden Vyse, Kent Squire-Hill on a great back hander, Danny Hill with 1 goal & 4 assists and Keegan Hill added a single. Mitch Nanticoke the scoring hero from the semi final game had 4 assists and single assists were added by Ben
VanEvery, Holdon Vyse, Jacob Kicknosway-Loucks, Corey Stringer, Tory Gardner, Lucas Miller and Kyle Point.
At the conclusion of the game CLA President Joey Harris presented Sid Smith and the assist captains Shawn Evans, Craig Point, Cody Jamieson and Kent Squire-Hill with the Minto Cup at centre floor. The Arrows Express player of the game was Craig Point honoured for his 5 goal effort in his final junior game. The Minto Cup MVP award was presented to Cody Jamieson who was very deserving of the honour.
Head coach Regy Thorpe and his assistant’s Marshall Abrams and Shawn Williams guided the Arrows Express to the championship that had eluded them the previoue three years. The coaching trio who all played for the 2007 NLL champion Rochester Knighthawks now also have a Minto Cup title on their coaching resume in their rookie year.
The Arrows Express also had five of their players selected in the NLL draft that was happening at the same time as the Minto Cup championship game. Craig Point was drafted 3rd overall by Boston but then traded to Minnesota, Corey Stringer was drafted by Chicago, Ben VanEvery was also drafted by Chicago, Lucas Miller went to Rochester and Chris Courtney was selected by Minnesota.
The Arrows Express would like to thank all their fans who supported them the entire year - we have the best fans in the country there is no doubt about that. They would pass along a thank you to all the fans who came out to support the team in the championship game it was truly fantastic to hear the drums beating throughout the game.
Arrows Express 2007 Minto Cup Champs!