Owen Sound is a city with a rich history and vibrant present in the sport of lacrosse.
From the Mann Cup Champion Cresents through the Signmen, the Senior NorthStars, the Dutchmen and onto the Woodsmen, there have been champions and championship calibre teams throughout the last 7 decades here.
Another such team may be taking shape as the Quantum Properties Woodsmen head into the weekend.
The Woodsmen are 7 & 1 with home games tomorrow against the Ohsweken Warriors and Sunday night against the Wellington-Dufferin Titans
Having seen the Woodies twice last weekend, I was impressed with their speed, and by the fact they are getting production from everywhere, without relying on a star or gamebreaker for offence.
Wins this weekend at home would put Owen Sound in a very solid position heading to the playoffs next month.
By comparison, the picture is not nearly as rosy for the Bluewater ProTeam NorthStars in Junior B
Although not entirely unexpected, the NorthStars season could essentially be finished Monday, maybe sooner
After losing last night at Elora, Owen Sound has no chance of catching the top 6 teams in the Western Conference.
A loss tonight at home against Guelph means Wallaceburg is out of range too.
And in truth, with 7 entries scrambling for one playoff spot, the potential of Owen Sound getting to the post season would take a combination of miracles in Owen Sound and disasters elsewhere.
But that too is why lacrosse holds such appeal.
Sometimes you win, like the Woodsmen, sometimes you don’t, like the NorthStars. but for more than 60 years of lacrosse, win or lose, teams in this city have played the game hard building toward a championship goal
NorthStars and Guelph tonight at 8 at the Harry Lumley-Bayshore Community Center.
I’m Fred Wallace