Steelhawks Victorious over Outlaws in Championship Rematch

By Mark Stehlin

On Sunday March 31, 2024, the Whitby Steelhawks defeated the Oshawa Outlaws in the Arena Lacrosse League (ALL) championship game by a final of 14-12. Fast forward to Saturday January 11, 2025 and these same teams met at Children’s Arena with the Outlaws looking to settle the score. Whitby came into the contest with a perfect 4-0 record on the season while Oshawa had stumbled out of the gate at 1-3. It was a tight affair between these two squads who have established a solid rivalry. The Steelhawks would continue their winning ways with an 11-9 win on Saturday to improve to 5-0 atop the ALL East, dropping the Outlaws to 1-4.

The Outlaws started the scoring and Whitby was forced to answer twice in order to tie the game. Nate Woods for the Steelhawks found himself in on a breakaway and was able to bury the ball to give his team a slim 3-2 lead at the end of 15 minutes.

Whitby found themselves in some penalty trouble to start the second quarter. They were successful in killing off a 5-3 penalty, but Oshawa was able to score with Whitby down five players to four. The Steelhawks persisted and reeled off four unanswered goals to open a 7-3 lead with the half winding down. Oshawa did answer just before half-time it was 7-4 for the defending champs.

Between the end of the second quarter, through the third and at the start of the fourth, it was Oshawa’s turn to go on a run of their own, after three unanswered goals, the game was knotted at 7-7 with 15 minutes remaining. Whitby would not be intimidated and got back to work with a four-goal run to make it 11-7 with just under five minutes on the clock. The Outlaws came to play and clawed back in the dying minutes but could only manage to deposit two goals behind Steelhawks starter Will Johnston and the scoreboard displayed an 11-9 final for Whitby. 

One of the bright spots for the Steelhawks season is the return to the lineup of forward Owen Boyle. He was named to the 2022 All-Rookie second team in the ALL East. Unfortunately, that season Boyle would also suffer a serious concussion that has kept him off the lacrosse floor until now.

Boyle said, “I was injured with a concussion on March 13, 2022 and am slowly getting back into the pace of things”. adding, “I’m fortunate to be back playing a game that I love.”

Boyle added, “I had a comeback on my mind the entire time. I realized that it isn’t about the scoreboard, it’s more about getting out there with the guys and being part of a team again.”

In terms of a return to the floor, he explained, “I saw a few doctors and was part of a program to make sure I could come back safely.” He recalled, “I can remember training camp and being back on the floor I felt like I was flying again, it felt great. I know I have a long way back but I’m looking forward to the journey.”

The Steelhawks are next in action on Friday January 24 at 8 pm against 2nd place Peterborough Timbermen, followed by a 5 pm game the next day - January 25 against 3rd place Toronto Monarchs. Both games are at Children’s Arena, the Steelhawks will look to extend their undefeated streak and grab a stranglehold on top spot in the ALL East.