Clarington Green Gaels
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| Clarington Green Gaels | |
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| City | Clarington, Ontario |
| League | OLA Junior B Lacrosse League |
| Founded | 1963 |
| Home Arena | Garnet B. Rickard Recreational Complex |
| Colours | Green, Black, and White |
| Coaches | Jason Crosbie & Jonas Derks[1] |
| GM | Terry Rowland |
The Clarington Green Gaels are Junior "B" box lacrosse team from Clarington, Ontario, Canada. The Gaels play in the OLA Junior B Lacrosse League.
- Oshawa Green Gaels (I) 1963 - 1983
- Oshawa Green Gaels (II) 1995 - 1996
- Clarington Green Gaels 1997 to Present
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[edit] History
[edit] The Early Years
Founded in 1963, the Green Gaels were a lacrosse team from day one in the OLA Junior A Lacrosse League. In every one of the Gaels first seven seasons, Oshawa won the Minto Cup as National Junior "A" Champions. Since the Minto Cup's inception in 1937, no team has ever won more than 4 championship in a row -- other than the Gaels. The record setting team were National Champions from 1963 until 1969, a record that has never even been approached since it was set.
In the 1963 Minto Cup, the Gaels won the National title by defeating the Victoria Shamrocks 4 games to 2. In 1964, to win the Minto they defeated the New Westminster Salmonbellies 4 games to 1. In 1965, they beat New Westminster again, 4 games to 2, to win the Minto Cup. In 1966, they beat New Westminster, yet again, 4 games to 2 to win the National title. They beat New Westminster a third and forth straight time for the title in 1967 and 1968. In 1969, the Gaels finally got to beat someone else for the Minto Cup again, facing the South Vancouver Legion and sweeping them 4 games to none. The streak was stopped dead in the 1970 season. The Lakeshore Maple Leafs defeated the Gaels 4 games to 1 in the Ontario semi-final.
The 1963-1969 teams were collectively inducted into the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2000. During this stretch, they won 220 games and seven straight Minto Cups. The Gaels never won another Minto Cup, but stuck around the OLA-A until 1983 when they finally folded after 21 years in the league.
[edit] Rebirth
The Gaels applied for re-entry into the OLA in 1995 and were placed in Junior "B". Since this time, the team moved to Clarington in 1997, and have yet to have a losing season. In 1999, the Gaels even had a perfect season -- sadly, in the end they lost in the Canadian Semi final. Remarkably though, between 1998 and 2004 the Gaels won 2 Provincial titles (2000, 2004) and 4 Founders Cups (1998, 2000, 2002, 2004) as National Champions.
[edit] 2002 Playoff Run
The 2002 was possibly the most exciting playoff run the Gaels have ever produced. Even though the Gaels finished first in their division, they were in for a rough ride as both the Barrie Tornado, and the scrappy Mimico Mountaineers waited, not to mention the 18-3 Onondaga Redhawks in the Far East Division.
Round One had the Gaels face-off against the Mimico Mounties. The series was end to end, both physically and mentally exhausting. Neither team would score in double digits in the series. It took a game 5 to decide this series and the Gaels would move on.
The Barrie Tornado were the opponents in Round two. The Tornado who had upset the Gaels in 2001 were out to prove a point, while the Gaels had a measure of revenge on their mind. In the first game, the Gaels offense completely disappeared while the Barrie defence was strong in a 4-2 Tornado victory. The Gaels would win the next two games with offensive domination outscoring Barrie 28-12. The Tornado wouldn't give up though winning game 4, 6-4 to force a 5th and deciding game. In another back and forth affair, the Gaels would prevail 10-8.
This put the Gaels in the unenviable task of facing the highly touted Onondaga Redhawks. Onondaga, for financial reasons, and the hopes they could win in three straight games decided to take the first two games at home. That meant, even though the Gaels had finished second in the conference, that they would retain home floor advantage if the series went 5 games.
Needless to say Onondaga kicked the daylights out of the Gaels in the first two games by scores of 13-5, and 12-3. Many, many people thought the series would be over, including Brad Kelly of the Oshawa This Week.
With 5 days off between games, the Gaels practiced hard knowing full well, one win might get them back into the series.
Game 3 went to the Gaels in a defensive battle holding high scorers Pete Benedict, AJ, Brett, and Drew Bucktooth to only three goals, defeating the Redhawks 11-7. In game 4 of the series, it was more of the same with the Gaels holding the Redhawks down winning 8-6.
Was it mentioned that the Redhawks neglected to book lodging anywhere and had to travel to Mississauga Friday evening, and to the Dynasty Inn, in Oshawa the second night? Talk about being overconfident.
Game 5 was for all the marbles. With the Redhawks leading 5-2 late in the third, the Gaels mounted a surge. The Gaels scored 4 powerplay markers to go up 6-5. After Onondaga tied the game 6-6, it all came down to the final two possessions. With 18 seconds left, veteran Green Gael James Hinkson took a pass in front of the redhawks tender and found twine to go up 7-6. A battle for the face-off ensued with the Redhawks finally gaining possession with two seconds left. Game over, Gaels win and move onto the Ontario Finals, and more importantly, the Founders Cup.
[edit] Ontario Finals
The Gaels faced league best Spartan with the Warriors defeating the Gaels 3-0. Although the Gaels did generate some quality chances, they didn't play with the passion or energy needed. Resting some players, and getting ready for the big dance seemed more important.
2002 FOUNDERS CUP
In game one the Gaels faced the New Westminster Salmonbellies. Simply put, the Gaels were dominant, to the tune of a 16-2 beating. Game 2 featured the Gaels against the Edmonton Miners. The Gaels played an excellent defensive game beating the Miners 8-5. Game three was against the Winnipeg Warhawks with the Gaels prevailing yet again 16-2.
The semi's pitted the Gaels against the host Halton Hills Bulldogs. The Gaels ended up winning 7-5 in overtime against a determined Dogs team. This launched the Gaels into the final against the Spartan Warriors.
In the end of a tightly fought game, Doug Trudeau came through for the green, scoring the winner with :50 seconds remaining in the third period. The Gaels by virtue of their 7-6 victory were crowned Canadian Champs.
[edit] 2004 Playoff Run
After finishing the 2004 season second in the Eastern Conference with a 14-5-1 record, the Gaels were poised to do well in the playoffs. In the first round of the playoffs, the Gaels took out the Markham Ironheads in 3 straight games. In the Quarter-finals, the Gaels faced the Mimico Mountaineers. The Gaels walked through them, beating them 3 games to 1. The Gaels then took on the first seed Akwesasne Lightning in the Conference final. The Lightning finished the season 17-1-2 and were thought to have a the best chance for a Founders Cup run. In the next three games, the Gaels beat the Lightning 10-7, 7-6, and 13-9 to sweep them and earn a birth into the League Final to face the Elora Mohawks.
The Gaels were up for a big challenge. The Western Champion Mohawks had finished the season 17-3-0 and were the hosts for the 2004 Founder Cup. The Mohawks came into the Final flying, blowing out the Gaels 16-4. In game two, the Gaels evened the score winning a close 9-8 contest. Elora came out hungry in game three, looking to crush the Gaels. That they did, smoking Clarington by a score of 12-1. It looked over for the Gaels, down 2 games to 1 in a best-of-five series and having suffered two demoralizing losses. Game four stayed close like game two, and the Gaels forced overtime. The Gaels pulled it together and scored to win and force a final game five. In the winner-take-all game, the Gaels came out flying and beat Elora 10-7 to win the Ontario Junior "B" title and earn a birth to the Founders Cup in Elora, Ontario.
The Founders Cup tournament started on August 21, 2004, and the first game for the Gaels put them up against the Moose Jaw Mustangs. The Gaels beat them 13-5. The next morning the Gaels beat the Manitoba Buffalo by a score of 12-2. That evening the Edmonton Warriors challenged the Gaels, but came up short as the Gaels won 11-9. The next night, to close out the round robin, the Gaels beat the all-stars from the Iroquois Lacrosse Association 11-7 to finish in first place in their pool.
On August 24, the Gaels faced the Delta Islanders from British Columbia for the crossover Semi-final. The Gaels crushed them 18-3. On the other side, the Elora Mohawks beat the ILA All-Stars 14-8 for the winner-take-all All-Ontario Final.
Despite the abilities of Mohawks, the Gaels came to play. The Gaels beat the host Mohawks, 11-8, to win their forth Founders Cup in seven years.
[edit] Season-by-Season Results
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against
| Season | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | PTS | Placing | Playoffs |
| 1963 | 24 | 17 | 7 | 0 | 300 | 229 | 34 | 3rd OLA-A | Won League, Won Minto Cup |
| 1964 | 24 | 20 | 4 | 0 | 367 | 225 | 40 | 1st OLA-A | Won League, Won Minto Cup |
| 1965 | 20 | 18 | 1 | 1 | 401 | 161 | 37 | Ist OLA-A | Won League, Won Minto Cup |
| 1966 | 24 | 23 | 1 | 0 | 438 | 165 | 46 | 1st OLA-A | Won League, Won Minto Cup |
| 1967 | 24 | 23 | 1 | 0 | 467 | 173 | 46 | 1st OLA-A | Won League, Won Minto Cup |
| 1968 | 24 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 483 | 189 | 48 | 1st OLA-A | Won League, Won Minto Cup |
| 1969 | 24 | 22 | 2 | 0 | 571 | 239 | 44 | 1st OLA-A | Won League, Won Minto Cup |
| 1970 | 28 | 16 | 12 | 0 | 464 | 359 | 32 | 3rd OLA-A | Lost Semi-final |
| 1971 | 30 | 22 | 8 | 0 | 467 | 368 | 44 | 1st OLA-A | Lost Semi-final |
| 1972 | 28 | 11 | 17 | 0 | 349 | 364 | 22 | 5th OLA-A | Lost Final |
| 1973 | 28 | 6 | 22 | 0 | 314 | 413 | 12 | 8th OLA-A | DNQ |
| 1974 | 28 | 12 | 16 | 0 | 383 | 389 | 24 | 4th OLA-A | Lost Semi-final |
| 1975 | 28 | 11 | 16 | 1 | 331 | 390 | 23 | 6th OLA-A | Lost Quarter-final |
| 1976 | 26 | 9 | 17 | 0 | 338 | 393 | 18 | 4th OLA-A East | Lost Quarter-final |
| 1977 | 22 | 14 | 7 | 1 | 304 | 256 | 29 | 5th OLA-A | Lost Quarter-final |
| 1978 | 30 | 20 | 10 | 0 | 508 | 402 | 40 | 3rd OLA-A East | Lost Quarter-final |
| 1979 | 28 | 23 | 5 | 0 | 597 | 373 | 46 | 1st OLA-A East | Lost Final |
| 1980 | 20 | 15 | 5 | 0 | 431 | 228 | 30 | 2nd OLA-A | Lost Semi-final |
| 1981 | 20 | 9 | 11 | 0 | 323 | 275 | 18 | 5th OLA-A | Lost Final |
| 1982 | 20 | 15 | 5 | 0 | 302 | 209 | 30 | 3rd OLA-A | Lost Final |
| 1983 | 22 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 244 | 217 | 22 | 4th OLA-A | Lost Semi-final |
| 1995 | 22 | 15 | 7 | 0 | 288 | 206 | 30 | 1st OLA-B East | Lost Semi-final |
| 1996 | 22 | 16 | 6 | 0 | 267 | 202 | 32 | 3rd OLA-B East | Lost Semi-final |
| 1997 | 22 | 16 | 6 | 0 | 267 | 174 | 32 | 3rd OLA-B East | Lost Semi-final |
| 1998 | 20 | 15 | 5 | 0 | 237 | 132 | 30 | 3rd OLA-B East | Lost Final, Won Founders Cup |
| 1999 | 20 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 300 | 98 | 40 | 1st OLA-B East | Lost Final |
| 2000 | 20 | 19 | 1 | 0 | 273 | 125 | 38 | 1st OLA-B East | Won League, Won Founders Cup |
| 2001 | 20 | 14 | 6 | 0 | 192 | 135 | 28 | 3rd OLA-B East | Lost 1st Round |
| 2002 | 22 | 16 | 5 | 1 | 245 | 132 | 33 | 2nd OLA-B East | Lost Final, Won Founders Cup |
| 2003 | 20 | 11 | 8 | 1 | 179 | 157 | 23 | 6th OLA-B East | Lost 1st Round |
| 2004 | 20 | 14 | 5 | 1 | 240 | 146 | 29 | 2nd OLA-B East | Won League, Won Founders Cup |
| 2005 | 20 | 16 | 4 | 0 | 225 | 95 | 32 | 3rd OLA-B East | Lost Quarter-final |
| 2006 | 20 | 14 | 6 | 0 | 179 | 149 | 28 | 5th OLA-B East | Lost 1st Round |
| 2007 | 20 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 237 | 110 | 40 | 1st OLA-B East | Lost Ontario Final |
[edit] External links
[edit] References
| OLA Junior B Lacrosse League |
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| Current Teams: Akwesasne Lightning | Barrie Tornado | Clarington Green Gaels | Cornwall Celtics | Elora Mohawks | Gloucester Griffins | Guelph Regals | Halton Hills Bulldogs | Hamilton Bengals | Huntsville Hawks | London Blue Devils | Markham Ironheads | Mimico Mountaineers | Mississauga Tomahawks Jr. B | Nepean Knights | Niagara Thunderhawks | Oakville Buzz | Orangeville Northmen | Owen Sound Rams | Sarnia Pacers | Scarborough Saints | Six Nations Red Rebels | Spartan Warriors | Wallaceburg Red Devils | Welland Warlords | Windsor AKO Fratmen
Former Member Teams: Kitchener-Waterloo Braves | Mississauga Tomahawks | Orangeville Northmen | Orillia Rama Kings | Six Nations Arrows | Toronto Beaches | Windsor Warlocks Ontario Lacrosse Association | Canadian Lacrosse Association | Founders Cup |
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