Junior C Bandits repeat as OJCLL champions

The Caledon Bandits junior C squad won their second consecutive Jim Meredith Cup as Ontario Junior C Lacrosse League champions after beating the Peterbourgh Lakers, in a thrilling 8-7 double overtime finale at the Mayfield Recreation Complex Sunday. Photos by Jon Yaneff It was one of those 'where were you when' moments.

So much went on that if it wasn't seen with two eyes it may not have been believed.

Every play in Game 4 of the Ontario Junior C Lacrosse League Finals was memorable between the Caledon Bandits and Peterborough Lakers Sunday (Aug. 16) at Mayfield Recreation Complex, in front of more than 200 people. It eventually ended with Duane Davis throwing his arms in the air after his long shot beat Peterborough goaltender Kevin Holton with 3:50 left in sudden death double overtime, as the Bandits captured a dazzling 8-7 victory.

"I didn't even realize it went in until I turned around and saw 23 players charge me from the bench, behind me," said Davis. "That's when it sunk in and I was like 'wow, this is really happening.'"

Ref Josh Hiltz was taken out of Mayfield on a stretcher, after twisting his ankle in double overtime of Game 4 of the OJCLL Finals. It was the Bandits' second Jim Meredith Cup in as many seasons as the league has been in existence.

"We worked harder this year than last year's championship," said Caledon Head Coach Sonny Sampson, whose team had to compete against seven league teams this season, compared to four in the first campaign. "We knew we were playing better competition, but it was a good season for us."

Peterborough, the Clarington Shamrocks and Kingston Cavaliers joined Caledon, the Centre Wellington Warlords, Shelburne Veterans, West Durham Patriots and Innisfil Wolfpack in to the league this season.

The last 8:14 of double overtime almost had to be postponed because referee Josh Hiltz had twisted his ankle and was taken to hospital by paramedics. Because Hiltz had fell away from the play, few players had seen how the unfortunate accident had occurred.

"Peterborough's coach (Joey Hiltz) was yelling at the ref," said Caledon forward Kyle Allan. "The ref looked back, twisted his feet then landed on the ground."

A level 3 ref, Barry Trood (also Shelburne junior C owner), joined the other ref David Cosmo, as agreed upon by both teams.

In the first overtime Caledon had scored first, as M.J. Kiekebelt had scored with 7:25 remaining in the 10-minute extra frame. Peterborough tied the game back up with 5:16 left, as Carter McCracken scored with a scramble in front of the Caledon goal. After Caledon took the slim 7-6 lead, Peterborough's coach called Bandits defender Kirk Hutchinson for not wearing the required shoulder pads and he was ejected for the remainder of the game.

The first goal-scoring hero was Shayne Snider, who tied the game at 6-6, scoring five-hole on Holton, falling down, with 1:20 left in regulation. It was Snider's hat trick marker, as he also tied the game at 5-5 with 7:30 left, as well as at 4- 4 with 21 seconds left in the second period.

Caledon found themselves down 3-0 after the first period, though they came back with four goals in the second, including one from Tim Sztorc and a pair from Michael Brillantes.

If there had been a most valuable player picked for the series, it would have to be goaltender Nick DiMaso, for his majestic and clutch play in the second to fourth games of the series. He made 39 saves on 46 shots in the clinching game, while totaling 119 on 134 shots (for a .888 save percentage) in his three wins in the championship series.

"I was just trying to make sure I covered all my angles so nothing got by me," said the rookie goaltender, who replaced Austin Brown when he was suspended for the three West Division Final games against Centre Wellington. "Now, I've won my first championship with the Bandits (organization) after 11 years. I'm so happy to have it happen right now."

Caledon also won Game 3 Wednesday (Aug. 12) at Mayfield, 5-3, then took the edge in the series with a 9-5 win at Peterborough Saturday (Aug. 15), which was held at the concrete-floored Lakefield Arena, compared to their usual carpet-turf floor at Memorial Arena. DiMaso had problems sliding on the turf during Game 1's 13-8 loss, though the change of scenery helped Caledon as a whole.

"The cement gave us a bit of a break because we couldn't handle the carpet," said Sampson, whose team lost both regular season games on the carpet, with the other during the regular season, losing 9-7 June 27.

The Bandits' graduating 21-year-old players from the junior level include Tim Sztorc, Brillantes, Hutchinson, Iain Campbell and Skylar Schmidt.

"It great to get the championship in my final year," said Sztorc, whose younger brother Brad was unable to play the championship clinching game after reinjuring his left knee in Game 3 of the series.