Family, Honour, Pride, Tradition

Gaels over Halton in a barn-burner 11-10

Ron Messer - Green Gael PR

A playoff sized crowd was treated to an amazing display of athleticism and skill this evening as the Gaels outlasted Halton Hills to win by one. Rookie Ryan Serville led all scorers on the night with a 4 goal 4 assist performance,he was followed by Mike Mc Cusker with 2 and 2. The Dawgs had 7 different players score tonight. Mike Licata and Kyle Davis both had 4 points from 2 goals and a couple of helpers for the visitors.

The game was a see saw battle that had the crowd on the edge of their seats in what I heard one fan say was akin to a late season atmosphere. The lead changed hands no less than 6 times before the Gaels moved past the visitors late in the third period only to see the Dawgs claw back almost forcing OT.

Wiswell and Hiltz handled the game with great skill doling out only 6 minors and letting the players decide the outcome. The Gaels doubled up on the ball carrier all night forcing the Dawgs into turnovers resulting in a number of chances for the Gaels. The Haltons were full measure on defense forcing the Gaels into many outside low percentage shots.

This was a great game for the fans and must have been a lot of fun to be a player in tonight. A big thumbs up to both organisations for putting on such a great show for the fans in the building . Gaels face the barrie Tornado next Thursday at home.

Box Score
Gallery Shots
From Durham News: Close win just what the Green Gaels needed
From Durham News: Strong test awaits Green Gaels

Third period surge lifts Green Gaels to fourth win

Josh Merzbacher scores four times

BOWMANVILLE -- The Clarington Green Gaels are forming a couple of habits early on in the OLA Jr. B lacrosse season.

The fact they are 4-0 this season isn't something new to the organization, which prides itself on winning and has done its fair share of it over the years. Look no further back than a year ago when they ran the table in the regular season, going a perfect 20-0-0.

The second habit has been established on their home floor, where they flirt with the opposition for two periods before absolutely dominating the final 20 minutes, producing a lopsided victory.

Both of those habits came out of Thursday's game against the Markham Ironheads. The Green Gaels carried a 5-4 lead into the third period, but scored seven unanswered, one short-handed, in what turned out to be a 12-4 route...

Read the rest of this Brad Kelly story from News Durham Region Sports

Gallery Images from May 1st versus Markham Ironheads

Higgins is an old man on a young team

Courtice goalie considered a veteran with Green Gaels

BOWMANVILLE -- Zach Higgins went from being a kid to an old man in the matter of one year. But he would argue that point.

"It still feels like I'm really young," laughed the netminder at the situation he finds himself in with the Clarington Green Gaels Jr. B lacrosse club.

Last season, on a veteran squad, he was a rookie and a young one at that, at just 16 years of age. This season, with an entirely new roster on the floor, he has gone from rookie to veteran without the conventional stop in between of a couple of seasons that most players enjoy.

"It's just my second year, but I'm supposed to be a veteran. I'm only 17, so taking a leadership role is new to me and I have to learn to do that still," he said.

Read the rest of this Brad Kelly story from News Durham Region Sports

Gallery Images from the Season Opener

It’s all good for the Green Gaels

Clarington posts 15-3 win over Mississauga in season opener

Fri Apr 25, 2008 - by Brad Kelly

BOWMANVILLE -- The course that may have been charted out in the early going for the Clarington Green Gaels has already changed its path.

A convincing 15-3 win over the Mississauga Tomahawks in Jr. B lacrosse Thursday night at the Recreation Complex certainly made a statement and raised a few eyebrows.

“It was a surprising start tonight,” said coach Jason Crosbie following the game. “I know (assistant coach) Jonas (Derks) mentioned in the paper that if we lose a couple of games early that’s all right, that it’s not really going to hurt us.

“Last year we went 29 and oh and lost the last three. We want to win the last three this year.”

Read the rest of this Brad Kelly story from News Durham Region Sports

Photos courtesy of Brian Drew

Green Gaels not getting any older

Young lineup expected on the floor for Thursday's home opener

Wednesday, April 22, 2008, by Brad Kelly
In fact, if assistant coach Jonas Derks has his way, the streak would end tomorrow night. BOWMANVILLE -- It may not take the Clarington Green Gaels long to make the perfect regular season of a year ago a distant memory.  

That's when the Green Gaels open the Jr. B lacrosse season against Mississauga, with opening faceoff at 8 p.m. at the Recreation Complex.

It's not so much that Derks is wishing the worst on his team, but rather, he would like to see this season end in reverse of the one a year ago. Last season, the club went 20-0-0 in the regular season, but lost the last three games of the year, swept by Six Nations in three straight in the league championship.

Read the rest of this Brad Kelly story from News Durham Region Sports


Green Gaels a week away...
Wednesday, April 15, 2008

BOWMANVILLE -- Last year, the Clarington Green Gaels used an exclamation mark to punctuate their season, going 20-0 and then advancing to the league finals.

This season, at least right now anyway, there are more question marks than anything else.

The Green Gaels hit the floor on Saturday for their annual mini-tournament to help distinguish those who have a chance at making the roster from the rest of the wannabes. A split squad played games against a Newmarket entry and another including a mixture of Whitby Warriors, Green Gaels and Intermediate aged players. While the number of bodies remaining in camp was shaved from more than 50 to a more workable 34 for last night's Green and White game (after our deadline), the Jr. B lacrosse club is still waiting to see how the composition of the roster will be finalized...

Read the rest of this Brad Kelly story from News Durham Region Sports

2008 Green Gael Classic

The 2008 version of the Green Gael Classic was played on Saturday, April 12th.  Starting at 9 AM, 4 teams played 5 games in succession with the final game ending shortly after 4 PM.  The Green Gaels, Whitby Juniors and Newmarket Saints use this tournament to get a look at players in training camp.

The tournament kicked off with a spirited game between the Green Gaels Green & White squads.  After taking a 6 goal lead into the third period, the Green team had to hold off a late White surge to win 7-6.

The second game saw Whitby outscore the Saints 5-1 in the third to take the game 10-6.

White and Green were back at it again in game three.  This time the teams traded goals throughout the game with the lead changing hands several times, but the game ultimately ended knotted 9-9.

The Newmarket Saints played the last two contests of the day, winning 8-7 over Whitby and 7-5 over the Green team.

Congratulations to all the players than attended a successful Green Gaels camp this year.  The final training camp game - the annual Green & White Game, will be played Tuesday night, April 15th at the Garnet Rickard Arena.  Game time is 8 PM and the cost of admission is a donation to the food bank or a 50/50 ticket.

Game photos from the Gallery


A few tidbits about things so far...

 - the 2008 schedule has been posted.  Use the link above...

 - The Clarington Green Gaels would like to announce that their 2008 Ad campaign is "Keep it Green " as we encourage our fans to adopt a greener lifestyle by reusing, reducing and recycling. Contact the P/ R office at the number listed below for information about the Clarington Green Gaels..  

Ron Messer (905) 433-1443

 - The Clarington Green Gaels would like to invite the general public as well as all our friends in the media to the Monday March 24th Training Camp session at the Salem Soccer Centre located at the Carruthers Creek Golf Course at 730 PM. Carruthers Creek is located at 650 Lake Ridge Rd in Ajax.  Contact them at 905- 426 GOLF (4623).   Players, coaching staff and team officials will be available for interviews on that night.

Updated 2007 News Archive