There’s nothing like the cup. The Crombie Cup that is.
Last night, I headed over to Ted Reeve arena to take in the first game of the Crombie Cup between the Mimico Mountaineers and the Toronto Beaches. Mimico used a furious rally in the second period to come back and beat the Beaches 13-8, handing Toronto their first regulation loss of the season.
Mimico turned a 5-2 deficit into an 11-5 lead, and never looked back. Finn Thomson and Isaiah Moran-Weekes had 7 points each.
For Beaches, maybe this will take some pressure off. While everyone knows their story, it was their first actual regulation loss of the season. Without that hanging over their heads, they can just play.
It was the first OJLL game I have attended this year that I did not broadcast, so I was able to notice a lot more of the details throughout te game. With that being the case, I had several takeaways. Lets talk about a couple things.
This Could Be Fun
My first takeaway was just how fun it will be if these two teams play in the playoffs. It was my first visit in some time to Ted Reeve (which was not used for the full 2022 season when I last called games) and that place has the potential to host an incredible playoff series.
The key is the proximity to Mimico, and the ease of using public transportation to attend the games. With two Toronto teams in a playoff series, fans could easily travel to both Mimico arena and Ted Reeve, and both are small enough venues to pack relatively easy. When you combine that with the proximity of restaurants where fans can eat (and drink) before games, and the atmosphere will be special.
I say that because this game was a good reminder that these teams are very good, and they don’t like each other one bit. The recipe is there for a fun series.
The next game of the Crombie Cup will be a nice appetizer.
Mimico Flexes up Front
If there is one thing to worry about for the Beaches, it is the following sentence. The Mimico offence is bigger than the Beaches defence.
Both teams were dealing with injuries, so we will see what they look like down the line. But Mimico has at least four players on offence who are six foot or taller: Finn Thomson, Lucas Dudemaine, Justin Lee, and Mark Watters. Henry Camponiti is a big American lefty, and ironically the smallest players Alex Roussel and Isaiah Moran-Weekes are perhaps the most frustrating to play against.
The issue for the Beaches is that the average distance from the net on the Mimico goals was something like 4 feet. They scored nearly all of their goals right in the heart of the defence and were physical off-ball to create the openings.
On several possessions in the second quarter, normal defender Jacob Keller found himself in the offensive zone. He planted himself right in the middle, sometimes working to get others open and sometimes just seemingly wanting to show that he can stand there if he wants. It was a psychological and physical battle that Mimico won.
The counter is that Beaches dominates teams in transition both offensive and defensive, which was the story of the first quarter. But Mimico cut back on their turnovers and made it a half-floor game. Then they let their size win.
Justin Tavares is Like His Dad But Not How You Think
For those unaware, Mimico defender Justin Tavares is the son of the legendary (lacrosse) John Taveres.
He will join a long list of sons to compete in Jr. A and eventually the NLL, and like many he is a reflection of his dad. However, it may not be in the ways that you think.
On the Back of the Bird podcast, we have taken to asking guests about the best players they have seen. Several mention the elder Tavares in their answers, and nearly all of them mention his ability to play defence, pick up loose balls, and dominate all over the floor. Beginning his career in an era before Offence / Defence, Tavares could do it all.
Here is an example from Halifax Thunderbirds Head Coach Mike Accursi.
Justin was everywhere on Monday. He was particularly noticeable on the faceoffs, where he came up with a string of loose balls in the second period, which coincided with a string of Mimico goals. For a young player (he is heading to Denver this fall), he plays older than his age, and impacts the game in many ways.
I wish this game had detailed loose ball stats. Because 11 in blue had a ton.
The Light Stays Green for Eric McDonald
New addition Eric McDonald joined the Beaches from the Oakville Buzz and its clear that he has the green light from the staff. He scored on a breakaway in the first period and probably had 5 good looks in this game. He isn’t the biggest guy, but he is fast and has played offence before. He will be a weapon for the Beach.
Goaltender Thomas Kiazyk had two assists in this game and can throw it well. Opponents need to find McDonald and the rest of the Beaches defence.
Will Sheehan Looking Good
I sat near the end of rink, not far apparently from a sizeable Will Sheehan fan section. They had lots to cheer about, as Will scored four goals in his second game with his new team.
His most noticeable impact was on the powerplay, where he scored all four of his goals. On one, Firth took the shift off to adjust a piece of broken equipment, so Sheehan stepped in and roped it. This was the depth that Beaches were hoping for.
The big guns were quiet Monday. Once they get going, Sheehan will be an added bonus.
The Beaches Goal Song Rocks
I have waxed poetically on the OJLL broadcasts about the Oakville Goal Song. But the Beaches gives it a run for it’s money.
They use “Freed From Desire,” by Gala. I thoroughly enjoyed. Readers can expect a power-ranking of goal-songs soon.
Know the Name
Last week in Oakville, I said the following about Isaiah Moran-Weekes.
Well, he scored 4 goals in this game and was a pain to cover for Beaches. An Ottawa native himself, he seemed to relish the chance to play against the Nepean players from Beaches. He shared a lot of chatter with (Ottawa native) Thomas Kiazyk throughout the game, that appeared to be friendly. Something tells me that might not last throughout the summer.
Game two of the Crombie goes Friday July 5. Make sure to circle that one on your calendars.