Hey guys, what's up today in the yard? Just checking in to give all of you Barker's an update with the status of my summer playing. It has been a hectic month, but a great month as well. A week ago today we won the MLL title by beating the Denver Outlaws in Boston Mass, at Harvard Stadium. (what a stadium by the waya€¦AWSOME) It was a great feeling, winning the MLL title greatly because of the group of guys I got to play with. Pretty much the same group has been together for that last two years and it is pretty gratifying winning with so many guys have I have so much respect for. It was a long summer for all of us, trying to play in many leagues along with work and family commitments, but the end goal was very much worth it. We won big in the final 16-6, but just got by in the semi-final, beating Philly via an overtime goal by one of the all time greats, Casey Powell. I was able to bring the whole family down with me, and that made the win that much sweeter.
The unfortunate thing was that myself, Brodie Merrill and John Grant Jr. had to listen over the internet as our two teams battled it out during game five of the Ontario final. Jr, who plays for Peterborough in the MLS, got the good news that they had beaten us and taken a 3-2 lead in the best of seven final series. It was so tough, having to miss a game knowing our team could have used us, but our focus stayed on the task at hand with the MLL. But, once we had won the MLL title our focus shifted directly onto the huge task at handa€¦a€¦a€¦having to beat Peterborough two games in a row to win the OLA titlea€¦with the first of the games being played in Peterborough, a tough place to win to say the least!! Anyways, long story short, we went on to win games 6 and 7 and win our first Ontario title in 4 years. It was a great feeling, and we are ecstatic, but we now face the almost undefeated New Westminster Salmonbellies (25-1 wins/losses) in the Mann Cup final. This year, as the Ontario Champs we will host the Mann Cup in Brampton. We have the weekend off, but will practice Wednesday in preparation for the Mann Cup, which starts on Friday September 5th, and goes through until the 11th. Seven games in 9 nightsa€¦..that is why it is the toughest championship to win, but certainly the most rewarding!! I look forward to the challenge, and I assure all of you that we will be in tough.
I will check back later this week with updates and breakdowns, and maybe even a musical blog, as we had some great conversations last night about "Best Album" of all time. In the meantime, stay well and I am going to carry on and enjoy what is left of our last long weekend of the year up here in Canada.
Cheers,
Colin #7
The unfortunate thing was that myself, Brodie Merrill and John Grant Jr. had to listen over the internet as our two teams battled it out during game five of the Ontario final. Jr, who plays for Peterborough in the MLS, got the good news that they had beaten us and taken a 3-2 lead in the best of seven final series. It was so tough, having to miss a game knowing our team could have used us, but our focus stayed on the task at hand with the MLL. But, once we had won the MLL title our focus shifted directly onto the huge task at handa€¦a€¦a€¦having to beat Peterborough two games in a row to win the OLA titlea€¦with the first of the games being played in Peterborough, a tough place to win to say the least!! Anyways, long story short, we went on to win games 6 and 7 and win our first Ontario title in 4 years. It was a great feeling, and we are ecstatic, but we now face the almost undefeated New Westminster Salmonbellies (25-1 wins/losses) in the Mann Cup final. This year, as the Ontario Champs we will host the Mann Cup in Brampton. We have the weekend off, but will practice Wednesday in preparation for the Mann Cup, which starts on Friday September 5th, and goes through until the 11th. Seven games in 9 nightsa€¦..that is why it is the toughest championship to win, but certainly the most rewarding!! I look forward to the challenge, and I assure all of you that we will be in tough.
I will check back later this week with updates and breakdowns, and maybe even a musical blog, as we had some great conversations last night about "Best Album" of all time. In the meantime, stay well and I am going to carry on and enjoy what is left of our last long weekend of the year up here in Canada.
Cheers,
Colin #7
