Vernon’s Brodie MacDonald and the Langley Thunder will battle the host Peterborough Lakers in the Mann Cup Senior A national lacrosse championships, starting next Friday in Ontario.
The Thunder repeated as Western Lacrosse Association champions, brushing back the Coquitlam Adanacs 4-2 in their best-of-seven series, ending with a 9-5 win Wednesday night at Coquitlam’s Poirier Sports Centre.
The Thunder outshot the Adanacs 19-6 in the first period, but headed into the break tied 1-1. The visitors built a 6-4 lead after two periods.
Goals by playoff MVP Lewis Ratcliff, Sam Cook and Todd Stockdale (empty-netter) sealed the championship.
MacDonald recorded 25 saves for the win, while Coquitlam’s Nick Rose earned third star for his 37-save performance.
The Thunder, who bowed to the Brampton Excelsiors in last year’s Mann Cup, will face the Major Series Lacrosse champion Lakers on Sept. 7, 9, 10, 12, and if needed, 14, 15 and 16.
The Lakers last won the Mann Cup in 2010. The last western team to claim it was the 2005 Victoria Shamrocks. The trophy is one of the most valuable trophies in all of sports, made of solid gold and valued at $60,000.
