WELCOME TO THE 2016 BANTAM NATIONALS

Athletes, coaches, officials and fans kicked off the 2016 Bantam Nationals in Saskatoon today. With seven teams from across the country, it is sure to be an action packed week. This tournament hosts some of the most competitive minor box lacrosse being played in Canada today. Buckle up!

Game 1:Team Manitoba vs. Team Ontario Lacrosse Association, 9:30am

What a start to the tournament! Both teams started the tournament with heart as they battled for victory. Ontario came out of the gates with an early goal scored by  Kobe Handsor (17) and assisted by Zane Dalpe (12).  The team continued to build momentum as they moved to score another 18 goals and shutout Team Manitoba. Congratulations to Kobe Handsor, Breadon Saris, Chris Dong and Chase Strychaluk for scoring two points a piece.

FINAL SCORE: MB 0 vs. ON 19

Game 2: Team Alberta vs. Team Nova Scotia, 10:45am

Another great game to open the tournament. The first goal of the game came 4 minutes into the first period. Riley Isaacs 7 of Team Alberta opened the game with a goal assisted by Lukas Olson 11.  The team continued to pick up steam to score another three goals in the first period. Team Nova Scotia fought hard to make a come back but was shutout in in the second period. Team Nova Scotia came back in the third period when Dakota Morrisey put them on the board with a goal late in the third period. Team Alberta continued their winning streak won the game with a score of 10 to 1.

FINAL SCORE: AB 10 vs. NS 1

Game 3: Team Saskatchewan vs. Team First Nations, 12:00pm

Team Saskatchewan battled Team First Nations for game three in front of a hometown crowd. The first period was a fight to score with the first goal of the game being scored by Elijah Thanaokatha 62 of Team First Nations early in the second period. This was a particularly physical game with a combined total of 13 penalties throughout the game. In the end Team First Nations rose to victory, defeating the hometown team 4 to 0.

FINAL SCORE: SK 10 vs. FN 1

Game 4: Team British Columbia vs. Team Nova Scotia, 5:30pm

After a brief afternoon break, the action continued as Team British Columbia took on Team Nova Scotia. In another show of great skill and athleticism, team British Columbia dominated in the second period with a total of 10 goals. In an outstanding effort Team Nova Scotia's Aidan Ring 31 scored 3 of  the teams 4 goals. In the end Team British Columbia trimphed with a score of 18 to 4.

FINAL SCORE: BC 18 vs. NS 4

Game 5: Team Saskatchewan vs. Team Manitoba, 6:45pm

The hometown heroes were back on the floor as they fought against Team Manitoba in their second game of the day. Team Manitoba's Brandon McCarthy scored an early goal in the first period to secure an early lead. By the second period Team Saskatchewan rallied to take the lead, scoring 2 goals. In a close battle between the teams the teams were tied up at the end of the third period with a score of 3-3. The hometown heroes came out on top when Kaiden Fletcher 4  scored the game winning goal in overtime.

FINAL SCORE: SK 4 vs. MB 3

Game 6: Team Alberta vs. Team Ontario Lacrosse Association, 8:00pm

Rounding out the day, Team Alberta fought a close battle with Team Ontario. At the end of the first period the teams were tied up at a score of 2-2. In a hard fought battle Team Ontario got a second wind to score an additional four goals in the third period. A special nod of acknowledgement goes to Ty English 4 of Team Ontario for scoring 2 goals and leading the team to a 6 to 2 victory.

FINAL SCORE: AB 2 vs. ON 6

Teams return to the floor tomorrow to continue to showcase some of the best skill and athleticism that Canada has to offer.