Arena Lacrosse League East 2024-2025 Semi Finals

The Arena Lacrosse League East had their Semi Final match-ups Saturday with the Six Nations Snipers facing Brampton Express, and the Toronto Monarchs facing the Whitby Steelhawks. 

Semi Final #1 at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena in Hagersville, Ontario 

Six Nations Snipers 10 Brampton Express 16

The Brampton Express got off to a good start leading 3-0 on a pair of Gavin Thibeault markers in the first quarter.   The Snipers finally got on the board when Ross Hill converted a Wes Whitlow feed with just 0:50 seconds left in the quarter.  The Express kept chugging in the second quarter scoring five of the next six goals on the strength of a natural hat-trick from Zach Sunderland.  The Express led 8-5 at the half. 

Brampton kept rolling in the third quarter scoring four of the first five goals to open up a 12-6 lead.  However, the Snipers then scored shorthanded to turn the momentum in their favor.  Chayton King scored a pair, followed by Thunder Hill and Ross Hill making this just a two goal game early in the fourth.  The Express rolled up their sleeves and went back to work.  Led by Gavin Thibeault's third of the game, and two more from Zach Sunderland, Brampton cruised to a 16-10 victory. 

Zach Sunderland (5g,1a), Gavin Thibeault (3g,2a), Curtis Ward (2g;5a), and Jacob Janke (2g,5a) led the scoring for Brampton.  Curtis Butka (1g,4a), Colin Matthews (1g,3a), and Pent Eistrat (0g,3a) were playmakers. 

Ross Hill (2g,3a), Thunder Hill (2g,1a); and Chayton King (2g,0a) had a pair of goals each.  Wes Whitlow (0g;4a), and Jaden Patterson (0g,3a) were the playmakers. 

The Three Stars:

1. Zach Sunderland (Brampton)
2. Devlin Shanahan (Brampton)
3. Colin Matthews (Brampton)

Semi Final #2 at the Toronto Rock Athletic Centre in Oakville, Ontario 

Toronto Monarchs 10 Whitby Steelhawks 9 in Overtime 

This game started as a punch, counterpunch kind of affair for a good portion of the first quarter.  Tied 2-2 into the second, the Steelhawks took over, outscoring the Monarchs 4-1.  Led by Brady Kearnan, Whitby took a 6-3 lead to halftime. 

Whatever was said in the Monarchs dressing room in the intermission had them focused in the third.  A dominant quarter saw Toronto tie the game with three unanswered goals.  The Monarchs kept pressing, scoring twice more to start the fourth quarter.   However the Steelhawks fought back with three of their own to take a one goal lead with just 4:30 remaining.  Dramatically, Devin Pipher of Toronto scored with just 0:38 seconds left sending this game to overtime.   

In the heart-stopping extra period, the game went end to end, back and forth.  Both Joel Watson for Toronto and Lukas Coote for Whitby were superb in their respective nets.  Jamison Dilks finally ended the game (and Whitby's dream of a repeat) with an unassisted marker at 8:06, sending the Toronto Monarchs to the finals to face the Brampton Express.  Toronto wins 10-9 in overtime. 

A balanced attack with nine different scorers had the Monarchs rolling in this game.  Parker Pipher (1g,6a), and Jordan Dance (0g,3a) were the playmakers for Toronto. 

Brady Kearnan (3g,2a), and Cole Hanrahan (2g,0a) led the scoring for Whitby.  Singles from Devin Pipher (1g,2a), Liam Aston (1g 2a), Nate Woods (1g,2a), and Owen Orpana (1g,1a) rounded out the Steelhawks scoring. 

The Three Stars:

1. Joel Watson (Toronto)
2. Lukas Coote (Whitby)
3. Jamison Dilks (Toronto)

The Arena Lacrosse League East Championship will pit the Toronto Monarchs vs. the Brampton Express, Sunday, March 30th at 7 pm (EDT) at the Toronto Rock Athletic Centre in Oakville, Ontario.