Express Outlast The Monarchs In The ALL East Final

The Brampton Express met the Toronto Monarchs in this year's Arena Lacrosse League East final at the Toronto Rock Athletic Centre in Oakville, Ontario, Sunday evening. 

Both teams had great seasons.  Although there were a few bumps in the road, they both were firing on all cylinders at the right time.

Toronto was led by Jordan Dance, Tanner Buck, and Parker Pipher, while Brampton was led by Zach Sunderland, Curtis Ward, Austin Hasen, and Gavin Thibeault. 

The goalie match-up had Devlin Shanahan in net for the Express facing Joel Watson in net for the Monarchs. 

A game that had both teams in charge for portions, and chasing for other parts.  Brampton got off to a good start taking 4-1 and 5-2 leads in the first quarter.  Zach Sunderland and Austin Hasen led the Brampton attack.  Tanner Buck got Toronto back on track in the second  scoring three of their five goals in the quarter to be up by one at the half.

The second half was more of a back and forth affair, which saw the teams tied three seperate times in the third quarter.  It looked like Toronto had this game put away with a two goal lead late in the fourth quarter, but Pent Eistrat and Curtis Ward scored just 1:22 apart to tie the game with 3:06 remaining.  Gavin Thibeault was then able to convert a Zach Sunderland pass with just over a minute left and Brampton was in the lead.  

With Toronto’s goalie on the bench, the Monarchs threw everything at Devlin Shanahan, but he was sensational, turning away all challenges to preserve the 14-13 victory for the Brampton Express, this year's ALL East Champions.

To The Game:

Austin Hasen opened the scoring blasting a Thomas MacDonald pass at 4:42, but Jordan Dance answered for the Monarchs finishing a Tanner Buck pass at 7:35.

Brampton poured it on with Zach Sunderland potting a pair of goals, followed by Austin Hasen's second of the game to open a 4-1 lead.  

Jordan Dance scored late off a Parker Pipher pass at 14:07, but a buzzer beater from Curtis Ward restored the Three goal cushion. 

After one quarter, Brampton 5 Toronto 2.

Second Quarter:

Gavin Thibeault increased the Express lead with a quick goal off a Curtis Ward pass at 0:39 seconds, but the Monarchs would control the rest of the quarter.  

Tanner Buck led the way with three goals in the quarter with singles from Jordan Dance and and Parker Pipher to stake Toronto to a one goal lead at the half.

At the half, Toronto 7 Brampton 6.

Third Quarter:

Jordan Dance opened the second half scoring, increasing the Monarchs lead to two goals at 0:50 seconds on the power-play, but the Express stormed back with three to get back in the game. 

Gavin Thibeault and Curtis Ward both scored power-play goals to tie the game five minutes into the third quarter, followed by a shorthanded goal by Pent Eistrat off a Lucas Ferreira feed at 7:26 to grab the lead.

Jamieson Dilks and Austin Hasen exchanged goals, but goals by Jordan Dance and Parker Pipher gave the Monarchs a one goal lead heading to the fourth.

After three quarters, Toronto 11 Brampton 10.

Fourth Quarter:

Parker Pipher added another power-play goal to give the Monarchs a 12-10 lead at 6:07, but a Gavin Thibeault marker off a Zach Sunderland pass brought the game back to a one goal contest at 8:06.

Tanner Buck once again increased the lead to two with a blast off a Mason Kamminga pass at 8:35, but goals from Pent Eistrat and Curtis Ward 1:22 apart tied the game with just 3:06 remaining. 

Cue the drama:

Gavin Thibeault converted a Zach Sunderland pass at 13:48 to give the Express the lead late in the game.  With Joel Watson on the bench, the Monarchs threw everything at Devlin Shanahan, but he was equal to the task to preserve the one goal victory and the 2024-2025 ALL East Championship. 

Final score, Brampton 14 Toronto 13.The Three Stars:

1. Devlin Shanahan (Brampton)
2. Jordan Dance (Toronto)
3. Curtis Ward (Brampton)

Top Scorers:

Brampton Express:

Curtis Ward 3g, 6a
Zach Sunderland 2g, 5a                                                                                                                                      Gavin Thibault 4g, 2a
Austin Hasen 3g,3a

Toronto Monarchs:

Jordan Dance 5g,5a
Parker Pipher 3g,4a
Tanner Buck 4g,2a