Okay... It got even better!

BRAMPTON -- One could not script a more exciting finish. Game seven... half way through the third period... the score knotted at sevens... This wild ride called the Mann Cup had been reduced to a 10-minute series.

The Excelsiors had failed at the 2001 title by the slimmest of margins, and by the slimmest of margins, they captured it in 2002. While their victory could not be labeled convincing, It was hard-earned. It took four hundred and thirty minutes of top-caliber, hard-nosed lacrosse to defeat a most worthy and capable opponent.

The real winners of course, were the fans. If any of the four or five thousand of them did not love this game madly before they arrived at the Brampton Centre for Sports and Entertainment on Wednesday night, they simply had to by the time they left.

The final game was, as with the whole series, marvelously captivating, marked by fascinating shifts in momentum that kept us guessing, and on the edge of our seats.

The WLA champion Victoria Shamrocks had emerged at the losing end of two of the first three games of this series. Yet in both contests they had appeared for much of the time to have control of the match, only to have it slip inexplicably from their grasp. Surely they would be rewarded. The wins would come...

Or would they? The very pivotal game four was claimed by Brampton in convincing fashion. The Shamrocks delivered their flattest performance of the series - at the worst possible time. Their spirit had to be crushed.

One win away from the title, the hometown Excelsiors boasted a significant psychological advantage. Confident, cool under pressure, they had demonstrated a knack for the comeback. And each time they'd taken a lead, they never looked back.

The post-game bar-room rumblings conformed: Brampton in five. The Mann would end on Monday.

And we all were wrong.

Victoria's depth of character had been questioned... and they would answer the call. Game five progressed with a familiar theme. The Shamrocks' initial lead evaporated in the second period. But facing elimination, the boys in green then made a breakthrough. They turned the momentum back, recovering from a late deficit for the first time in the series and winning by a 12-11 score.

They had faced their demise for sixty minutes and lived to fight another day. To survive a further 120 minutes - that would be a tall order. And boy, did they ever come close...

Some Highlights:

Game One: Brampton 15 - Victoria 10

Goalie Brandon Miller started for Brampton. Apparently 'the Whipper' was still recovering from injury. The first two shots he faced were delivered by Ted Dowling and Johnny Tavares and they both eluded him.

The Excelsiors enjoyed great loose ball work from Jim 'the Shark' Moss and from Eric Pacey who set up Brian Beisel for the first Excelsior goal of the series.

Designated hero Josh Sanderson tied the game on a diagonal charge with goaler Matt Roik falling early, this short-handed as Tim O'Brien sat for bullying Terry Dennett. O'Brien would see very limited action in the series. Once Victoria met his acquaintance, they gave the E's little reason to call on him.

On the same power play, Dowling took a behind-the-back pass from Derek Malawsky and fired it behind Miller. A carbon copy of the Tavares goal, this had been a very effective option play where Malawsky would wind up at the top and either fire away or dish behind himself to tee up a quick-stick - all depending on Miller's positioning. But Miller would learn to adjust. And he would later stone consistent offensive threat Ryan Ward on the breakaway and go on to play tremendously through the second and third periods.

Rusty Kruger evened the score with a subtle but effective fake and Blaine Manning restored the Victoria lead with a big-time boomer.

A great solo effort from Ward gave the visitors their first 2-goal lead but the E's would eventually tie it at fives on a patented bullet from Mike 'Machine Gun' Murray.

Rob Kirkby drew Josh Sanderson to the box in a little slashing duel. Advantage Victoria.

Later, Casey Zaph returned the favor, drawing Tavares in the same manner. But considering their respective performances... advantage Victoria again...

Some sustained pressure from Brampton had Dan Teat shooting twice wide. They sucked up both rebounds and Accursi finally connected off a lateral feed to give the E's their first lead of the game. Assists to Kruger and Josh Sanderson who skittered about the perimeter "...like a couple of waterbugs on a pond..." according to one Brampton supporter that insisted he remain unnamed!

Early in the third, waterbug Sanderson buried his patented side arm before Murray landed two more blasts to tally a hat trick and give the E's a commanding lead. This prompted Devin Dalep, not so much a goaltender as a time-out facilitator, to make his first of five or so appearances in the series. None lasted beyond the next Victoria possession. Statistically he ranks as the best netminder in the series with one save on one shot...

Dowling and Malawsky completed hat tricks as they stormed Miller in the third period but Miller stood tall while Roik was hung out to dry by a vanishing defense. Brampton scored twice as many goals on half as many shots to run away with a 15-10 win.

Blue's MVPs: Brandon Miller, Derek Malawsky
Official: Josh Sanderson, Ted Dowling


Game Two: Victoria 7 - Brampton 5

The BCSE was absolutely frigid for this match - presumably in preparation for the following evening's Brampton Battalion OHL hockey game.

Bob Watson returned. He would start the remaining six games and finish all but one. At the other end, Matt Roik would play his best game of the series tallying a superb .900 save percentage.

Dan Teat and Derek Malawsky traded early power-play markers then Malawsky struck again with an off-speed roller after curling into the slot unmolested. Ten minutes later he finished the trick with another power-play blast from the top.

Dowling nailed Phil Sanderson with an elbow that sent the defender headfirst into the boards. He lay immobile for a long time giving the crowd a scare. Perhaps it was just hypothermia. He returned to play a short time later.

The subsequent 5-minute advantage was more or less squandered by the Excelsiors. The only decent opportunities: A Phil Sanderson-Brian Beisel 2-on-1 of all things, and a long shot from waterbug Kruger that bounced off the post - or an icicle perhaps - with Roik looking the wrong way. Watson was equally active and had to come up big twice consecutively against Darcy Berthiaume as the shooter snagged his own rebound.

The second frame was dominated by Victoria through the first seven minutes and Tavares gave them a 4-1 lead, their largest of the series thus far.

In the latter stages, Rusty Kruger showed some sharp reflexes scoring twice on opportunistic snags in front of the net.

Derek Malawsky delivered a slash to his defender with the referee standing right at his side but it was Moss who got the penalty for fingering Malawsky's helmet in retaliation. Strange calls like this had many players on edge and the game degenerated. The sin bin was stuffed to capacity on occasions as the blackshirts struggled to control the game. Mike Henderson was boxed for committing routine Hendersonisms.

Brampton entered the third frame down a pair and didn't seem overly concerned, playing with a relative lack of urgency. Kruger hounded down a rebound and set up Chris Driscoll for a zinger of a goal but Berthiaume responded, faking Watson as he broke in alone.

That was it for scoring as penalties took centre stage. Moss took a 2-minute minor for attempting to remove Tavares' head from his neck in the final three minutes. This effectively ended any thoughts of a comeback. In the ensuing discourse, Jamie Roy flew out of nowhere to kamikaze Blaine Manning. Chris Parkin somehow earned a double-minor, tallying far more box-time then floor-time and Henderson was ejected from the game for committing flagrant Hendersonisms.

Blue's MVPs: Matt Roik, Rusty Kruger
Official: Derek Malawsky, Rusty Kruger


Game 3: Brampton 11 - Victoria 10

Ted Dowling did not dress for this game. Early theories centered around the elbowing incident and a presumed suspension. In fact, it was a bad flu. But he would not miss another game.

Dan Teat and Josh Sanderson connected early, both from outside. Then Roik closed the door for almost 30 minutes.

Manning broke loose and was set up perfectly by Nick Carlson for the first of four Shamrock goals. The equalizer was a beauty as Kirkby charged through the slot and was knocked flying by Beisel. Just before crashing to the side of the crease he released a seemingly impossible shot that picked the high far corner.

Tavares had come alive after two quiet performances and he would remain a dominant force for the remainder of the series. He connected when a loose ball took a fortunate bounce to him. Dennet got the phantom assist. Tyson Leies notched his first of three, dumping the ball at Watson's feet.

Second Period: Brampton started slow as their offense went lame. Then Pacey drew a penalty somehow hanging on to the ball while getting nailed no less than three times. The offense woke up at this point and Machine Gun Murray notched a whistler.

A minor scrum broke out when Ben Prepchuk took a stick in the face. During this episode, Josh Sanderson somehow landed a punch to Matt Roik's head! How he reached that high is a mystery...

Watson was not at his best as Tavares and Ward connected on low-percentage shots. Victoria might have pulled away for good in this match but for plenty of posts and crease violations. Leies made it 7-3 when he overwhelmed Watson with multiple convincing fakes.

With the game clock counting down, Prepchuk missed a pass but snoozed the loose ball out from under Ian Rubel. He then turned and snookered Roik with a desperate under-hand with 5 seconds on the clock.

Leies bulled his way through Moss and Bruce Codd before bouncing in the only Shamrock goal of the third period. Accursi, Prepchuk and Josh Sanderson dominated the frame as they rallied to tie the match at eight.

Overtime: Chris Driscoll sniped a beauty and Tavares landed two dazzling goals. Matt Roik robbed each of the waterbugs on prime opportunities but was twice bamboozled. First, on a Driscoll lob pass to the slot that Prepchuk - and Roik - missed. Second, another decoy with Teat loose in front while Josh Sanderson slipped a devilish roller in the low corner with 36 seconds on the clock to break the tie.

Blue's MVPs: Josh Sanderson, Tyson Leies
Brine Boy's: Dan Teat, Johnny 'Who' Tavares
Official: Josh Sanderson, Johnny Tavares


Game Four: Brampton 11, Victoria 8

While Brampton dominated the first period in shots and loose balls by the most one-sided margin of the series thus far, it was Victoria that claimed a seemingly convincing 5-2 lead.

Kelly Hall and Terry Dennett connected on a two-on-two that became a two-on-one when Codd slipped on the carpet. Then Hall buried a zinger 44 seconds later. Tavares notched two more beauties and Ward bested Watson with a delicious fake.

Josh Sanderson swindled one of the Brampton goals with a deft snag 'n sweep with Roik out of position. He set up Teat for the other.

In perfect symmetry Victoria dominated the second frame in all areas but goals as the E's closed the gap. Dan Teat scored twice and set up Accursi for a marvelous spin 'n shoot. Ryan Ward set up Ted Jenner for a cross-crease angler that left Watson helpless and he later restored a 7-6 Shamrock lead on the power play with 0.46 seconds on the clock.

The final frame began at a slow pace. Josh Sanderson tied the game with Rubel in the box for his second consecutive questionable penalty.

The E's took their first lead at the 12-minute mark when Jon Harasym handed Driscoll a super-sly drop pass then charged across the slot. Roik didn't see the pass. He played Harasym all the way granting Driscoll the open net and the easy score.

Dowling pushed a hard-charging dive-bomb off the post and in. But Driscoll responded just half a minute later. And shortly after that, he sprung Prepchuk for a breakaway marker. 10-8 Brampton and 2500 or so fans started up the wave. The Shamrock supporters' section declined to participate but hey, they live on an island. They've probably seen quite enough waves.

At a stoppage in play, Henderson marched up to Berthiaume and delivered him a friendly wack to the head. For this he received two minors and a 10-minute misconduct. Then he marched off the floor and delivered the gate a friendly wack, leaving a good dent behind.

Blue's MVPs: Chris Driscoll, Ryan Ward
Official: Chris Driscoll, Johnny Tavares


Game 5: Victoria 12 - Brampton 11

Brampton scored just 18 seconds into the match. I thought it was Harasym that set up Teat for the bullet but the assist went to Josh Sanderson and there was never a correction announced.

Driscoll primed Accursi for a hard working goal, scored as he was falling.

Jenner got one back with an outside whipper. Later Dowling did the same and Watson got most of it before it dribbled over the line. And on the next shot, Watson seemed to save it between his side and arm but again it dribbled through. And Later a Blaine Manning shot hit Watson, and once again it bobbled through. 4-2 Victoria at the break.

One minute into the third, the fleet-footed Tavares turned Pacey inside out and slipped a reacher in the high corner. Then Driscoll put the E's back in the game with a pair of bullets just 31 seconds apart.

But Kelly Hall notched a side arm blast after blowing by Codd, and Tavares mimicked his previous goal to put Victoria up 7-4.

Then the comeback: Murray, Beisel, Prepchuk and Josh Sanderson all connected in the span of five minutes to carry an 8-7 lead to the dressing room.

The potentially final period of the series began with high intensity. Kruger scored early playing 4-on-4 with Driscoll and Berthiaume boxed for some cheap reason - for wearing ridiculously high numbers perhaps.

Ward buried a sweet side-arm. Teat got it back with a marvelous effort. Falling to his knees, he snagged a loosie and twisted to fire backwards over a falling Roik.

Manning nailed a hard power-play bouncer. Accursi got it back on a hard working one-on-one, his line-mates fading wide, drawing defenders away.

Half the frame to go. 11-9 Brampton. The game had followed the usual pattern. Fans of the maroon and gold were primed for celebration.

But here something new happened. Victoria staged a late comeback for the first time in the series. It was timely indeed.

At the 9:55 mark, Berthiaume weaseled in a long under-hander from way out. 11-10. With 7:10 to play, Tavares ducked into the slot and released a blast to the low corner. 11-11. At 3:19 Tavares fed Hall who sneaked in alone and deceived Watson with the bouncer. 12-11 Victoria. The Excelsiors went on the power-play with a minute and a half to play. Kruger and Accursi had great opportunities but Roik was equal to the task. There would be a game six.

Blue's MVPs: John Tavares, Chris Driscoll
Official: Matt Roik, Jim Moss


Game 6: Victoria 10 - Brampton 7

As always, Victoria built a first period lead.

Hall converted a Tavares rebound. Prepchuk scored the lone Excelsiors goal on a gritty individual play.

Dowling tossed a ball at Watson that the goaler seemed to catch before spilling it into his own net. Manning connected on a one-on-one effort. Berthiaume zapped in a rebound off the backboards.

Watson was then given a rest. Miller stepped in.

Second period: Brampton started strong. Roik faced a flurry of shots and stopped them all. That seemed to be the turning point. The Excelsiors offense faded. Shamrock defenders like Bruce Alexander and Grant Hamilton were keeping the waterbugs in check. By the second intermission the lead had grown to 7-2.

Accursi and Josh Sanderson combined beautifully for a goal just 17 seconds into the third. The comeback had been glimpsed. But there would not be another score for almost ten minutes, despite some great opportunities by the likes of Harasym, Tavares, Kirkby, Leies, Malawsky and Darren Reisig. Roik and Miller were solid.

Then Dowling charged through Roy and scored with the big dive. 8-3.

But then, suddenly, The Excelsiors doubled their score in less than two minutes! Harasym notched a rebounder. Josh Sanderson teed up Teat twice in a row. 8-6! We instantly had a lacrosse game.

Tavares had other ideas in mind. He charged the net, one-handed and thrust his shoulder into defender Codd, knocking him and his helmet to the floor, then buried the ball in the high corner of the net.

Harasym responded with a huge outside whipper but Ward responded, driving a shot over Codd's shoulder that caught Miller moving the wrong way. There would be no comeback.

In the final minute Brampton pawns Chris Parkin and Aime Caines were dispatched to try to mix it up with Victoria impact players - in the hope of drawing suspensions I gather, but the Shamrocks wouldn't bite. They were a little bit smarter then that.

Blue's MVPs: Bruce Alexander, Brandon Miller
Official: Blaine Manning, Ben Prepchuk


Game 7: Brampton 9 - Victoria 8

One game - for all the marbles. If Brampton had the psychological edge for game five, surely Victoria had it now.

The Shamrocks had taken first period leads in every game: 4-3, 3-1, 4-2, 4-2, 4-2 and 4-1. Would game seven be any different?

Of course not. Victoria jumped out to a 4-0 edge. Reisig on a solo dash, Dowling with a wind-up blast, Tavares picking the corner, and Jenner, left joyously alone on a loose ball scramble.

Josh finally connected at the 4:50 mark.

Second period: The Shamrocks piled two more goals onto the lead, one short-handed and one on the man-up. 6-1.

Kruger landed an overhand from the slot. 6-2. Still, it was looking like the most one-sided affair of the series. Victoria took a penalty but Accursi promptly delivered an asinine off-the-ball slash to negate the much-needed power-play.

But suddenly there erupted a maroon and gold explosion. Everything Brampton threw at the net started going in.

Codd raced down the wing and struck the far side of the net. Teat hit the inside of the post and it bounced over the goal line. Harasym was able to charge the net untouched as Henderson, the quintessential bull in a china shop, caused havoc for Shamrock defenders. Then Josh skimmed home a long low under-hander. The crowd exploded. Four goals in four minutes.

Roik left the net for the final Victoria possession. Watson stopped the shot, controlled it, scooped it and wound up... He fired it at the empty net with Roik racing to beat the throw. He could not get there but the shot fell wide. 6-6 after two.

Third period: Derek Malawsky performed the most beautiful, most exquisitely ridiculous of dives. Leaping high into the air, limbs all askew, he crashed to the carpet. Chevy Chase would have been envious. And referee Sean Mowry, as he is sadly prone to do, bought it - hook, line and sinker.

Ward scored on the ensuing power-play. It was the only goal through the first ten minutes. Victoria might have pulled away again but Watson was at his best.

Then Prepchuk scored out of shear determination. He leaned into his checker, drove toward the slot and unleashed a ripper. It found the mesh. Tied game again.

Three and a half minutes later, he got the ball in the same position. Surely everyone knew what he would do. And he did it again. And he scored again. Thousands of fans rejoiced.

Moments later, playing 4-on-4, Roik was pulled for a fifth attacker. The effort failed. Again Watson controlled the shot. This time he passed to Jim Moss, breaking down the neutral zone. And Moss found the empty net. 9-7.

But it wasn't over. At the two-minute mark, Manning fired a high blast with Watson sinking early. 9-8 and the Shamrocks pressed. Brampton's ace defenders, Moss, Driscoll, Beisel, Phil Sanderson and Mike Hasen pulled double duty, and they kept the Victoria attackers at bay. With a half-minute remaining, Tyson Leies bounced off a check and fired low. Watson controlled it again. He dished to Phil Sanderson and the E's maintained the ball for 30 seconds and turned it over deep it Victoria territory with 3.5 seconds remaining. The Shamrocks did the only thing left to do. They called a time-out, crowded in front Watson's crease and launched a hail-mary the length of the floor. Phil Sanderson knocked it aside, and his Brampton Excelsiors were crowned 2002 Mann Cup Champions.

Blue's MVPs: Ben Prepchuk, Ryan Ward
Official: Josh Sanderson, Ryan Ward

Official MVP of the series: Josh Sanderson

A footnote: Long after his team-mates had left for the dressing room, Ted Jenner remained on the floor, leaning against the boards by the gate. In an act of pure sportsmanship and class, he waited patiently, witnessing celebratory scenes that could not have been easy to observe, until he had the chance to wish Rochester Knighthawk team-mates Mike Hasen and Casey Zaph warm congratulations.

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Special thanks to Brine Boy for helping with stats and notes.

See you all next year!