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On Saturday night, the Miners jumped out to a quick lead, putting up a score of 5-1 before the first period was over. The Miner's first period was highlighted by two quick shots by forwards Graedon Cornfield and Shane Lopatynski, who scored 2 goals within 25 seconds of each other. The Knights battled back in the second period putting in 2 power play goals but the second period ended on a high note for the Miners, as they closed out the period with 2 of their own. 7-3 after two periods of play. Knights goaltender Alex Coutts shut the door on the Miners in the 3rd period and the Knights put two more in before the buzzer, Miners taking Game 1, 7-5. The Miners gave up 4 power play goals and killed of 6/10 penalties, while failing to take advantage of their own power play opportunities 0/3.

Game 2 was very similar to Game 1. The Miners went up 3-0 just 10 minutes into the game and also killed off 9 minutes in penalties in the first period alone. The penalty troubles caught up with the Miners as the Knights managed to put in 2 goals past Miner's goaltender, Dave Marrese, to narrow the gap. The Miners fought through the period and put in 1 more of their own, closing out the period with a 4-2 lead. This was the first time in the series that the Knights had outscored the Miners in a period, doing so 2-1. The Knights took it to the Miners in the third period, scoring just a 1:26 into the final stanza. The Miners forwards were not done scoring in the second period like Game 1, and made the Knights' keeper, Coutts, stand tall between the pipes. Despite Coutts' best efforts, the Miners put in 3 unanswered goals, taking a 7-3 lead with 8:32 left in the third. The last 8 minutes of regulation was all Knights. The Knights made a game of it, scoring 3 unanswered goals of their own, the last of which came with 1:30 left in the game. With Coutts out of his net and on the Knights' bench, the Knights had an extra man opportunity but were unable to put the play together before the final whistle. Miners take Game 2, 7-6.

Miners will be heading down to Crossfield, AB with a 2-0 series lead and a chance to play in what could be the final playoff game of the season at 8:30 PM on Friday Aug 12/2011.

Go Miners Go

The Senior Miners ended their third full regular season in the Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League, finishing in 2nd place (12-5-1, 25 points). The Senior Miners were 2 points shy of claiming their 2nd consecutive regular season title in 3 years but were edged out by the Okotoks Senior Raiders (13-5, 26 points).

Having the Okotoks Senior Raiders take 1st place in the regular season standings, this left the Senior Miners facing a local rival, the 3rd seed Edmonton Outlaws (10-7-1), in the first round of the playoffs.

The Senior Miners, having home floor advantage for Games 1 and 2, jumped out to an early lead in Game 1. The Senior Miners went up 5-1 at the 10:00 mark of the first period, but the Outlaws managed to bury two more goals before the end of the frame. After exchanging 2 goals each in the second period, the Miners were still up by a pair but needed to set the tone early in the third period to give themselves some cushion. The Miners did just that, coming out of the gate flying, scoring 3 unanswered goals until the Outlaws stopped the bleeding with a goal of their own. The Outlaws showed signs of life, as they put up two quick goals to bridge the gap but the Miners proved to be resilient, ending the frame with 3 more goals. The Outlaws managed to squeak in one more before the buzzer, ending the game with a  final score 13-9. Seven different Miners found the back of the net and the Miners were led by Graedon Cornfield, the 2-time Harris Toth Award winner (regular season points leader), who had 5 points (2 G, 3A) and Nate Schimdt who had the hat trick (3,0).

Game 2 started out somewhat differently. The Miners scored 54 seconds into the game and on the ensuing face-off, Outlaws Coach Dave Pym called for measurement of the Miner's goaltender, Dave Marrese. After a quick measurement and explanation, Marrese was found to be in compliance with the width of his leg pads, therefore leaving the Outlaws shorthanded after being assessed a delay of game penalty. The Miners capitalized on their powerplay opportunity just 10 seconds into the penalty. The Miners headed into the dressing room up 4-3 after one period. The Miners kept it rolling, putting in 4 more in the second period, while only allowing 2. The Outlaws came out of the dressing room firing on all cylinders, putting in 2 goals within 30 seconds of each other, and only 1:21 into the period. Having scored 2 goals in 1:21 to start the frame, the Outlaws started to fade and didn't put up another marker until 6:18 left in the game. The Miners managed to pot 3 more goals, highlighted by an individual effort that saw Steve Tessarola get his own rebound off a missed shot, bringing it around the net and putting it passed the Outlaws keeper. Final score 11-8 for the Miners, who were leading the series 2-0 before heading the Outlaws home barn for game 3.

Game 3 was not like Games 1 and 2. Game 3 was a battle of the defensive units on both sides. After two periods, the scored was all tied up, 2-2. It was up to the Miners to finish what they had started and were led into the final stanza by  off-season accquisition from the Spruce Grove Slash, Jordan Cornfield. Cornfield broke open the tie with a rocket of a shot, beating the Outlaws netminder short side, top cheddar. The two teams exchanged 2 goals each before Cornfield's brother, Graedon, lit the lamp and Brad Scott adding the insurance with a submarine shot. Outlaws goalie, Mitch Anders, had several highlight reel saves in loss, but despite his best efforts, they were thwarted by the potent offence of the Miners. Final score...7-4, Miners.

The Okotoks Raiders were to face the 4th seed Calgary Knights (8-10), but were upset by their familiar foe when the Knights swept the first playoff series 3-0 (7-4, 11-8, 11-6).

The Senior Men's Provincial Finals action starts back up on Saturday August 6th (7:30 PM) at Servus Place, as the St.Albert Miners play host to the Calgary Knights in a best of 5 series.

Winner of the series will represent Alberta in the Senior B Men's National Championships, The President's Cup, which is being hosted by the Snake Island Muskies in Cornwall, Ontario (Akwesasne Nation).

Trade 1

Senior Miners acquire Steve Zwack and Aiden Inglis from the Outlaws for Kris Hicks and Jordan  Long.

Trade 2

Senior Miners acquire Jordan Cornfield and re-acquire their 2012 3rd round draft pick from the Spruce Grove Slash for the rights to Craig Vermette and a 2012 1st round draft pick.

The Miners Lacrosse Club held their AGM and Awards Luncheon at the Chateau Louis Convention Centre. The AGM was a smooth affair with only one member not returning to the board. We say good bye and thank you to Linda Pellis for her efforts throughout her tenure as Vice President. She was a very valuable contributor.  The remaining board members have agreed to stay on and we are looking forward to a successful season at both the Senior and Junior level.

We want to congratulate the Senior Miners on their successful campaign in 2010 winning the provincial championship and proving they are right up there at the national level with a very competitive effort at the Presidents Cup. The Seniors announced their first winner of their MVP award. Nate Schmidt had a great season coming out of the front gate for the Miners and lead the league in points. He was also a major reason for their success in the play offs and the national championship.

One of the hardest things to do in Junior A lacrosse is to say good-bye to graduating players especially when they are not just good lacrosse players but also great people. This year the Miner lose, Kevin Wallin, Patrick Williams, AJ Pellis, Ben Contenti and Jordan Wheaton because of age restrictions. Each of these players was a positive contributor to our organization and their talents on the floor and their personalities off the floor will be missed by teammates, coaches and staff. Kevin Wallin was the leading scorer in the RMLL Junior A league and was always game to be out in important situations. As a result he scored a lot of important goals. Patrick Williams came to Edmonton from Lethbidge and had a huge learning curve ahead of him. On top of that he was asked to play a more defensive role which was foreign to him but credit to him as he took the task on with zeal and did an admirable job. The Miners will have a hole to fill now that AJ Pellis will be plying his trade at the senior level. AJ was one of the few players on the Miners that had an outside shot that other teams worried about. He was a key contributor on the Miners offence and really took a leadership position in the last two years. The winner of the Matt Dickerson award (player showing heart and determination), Ben Contenti was a solid contributor his whole time with the Miners but really showed his character this year when he was asked to play a more defensive role. Without blinking an eye he jumped into the position and became a key defender for us. He will be a solid addition for any senior team. Finally but not least we say a heartfelt good bye to Jordan Wheaton who gave a 150% effort each game and made everyone of his shifts count. He never took a shift off. Jordan proved to be a great team member. All of these players became leaders and there will now be a void to be filled but we are excited with those that remain and some new up and coming players.

Winners of the awards this year were;

Junior Team

Rookie of the Year  - Scott Kavalinas

Offensive Player of the Year – Kevin Wallin

Defensive Player of the Year – Riley Campbell

Matt Dickerson Award – Ben Contenti

MVP – Scott Kavalinas

Senior Team

MVP – Nate Schmidt

Let the 2011 season begin.