July 16, 2006
LONDON, Ontario--Flag bearers play a pretty significant role in these International Lacrosse Federation (ILF) World Championships. But it is those bearing the yellow flags who have been, at least according to some players, unbearable.
The U.S. men's team meets rival Canada today at 4 p.m. in an internationally televised game at TD Waterhouse Stadium, with the Blue Division's top seed at stake. US Lacrosse partner CSTV will broadcast the game live in the United States.
But TV timeouts might not be the only cause for delay. By far the most physical teams in the tournament, Canada and the U.S. have a history of penalty-laden affairs. The last time they met in this tournament, the 2002 gold medal game in Australia, Canada netted 29 penalties in what amounted to an 18-15 victory for the U.S.
"They were physical to a fault," said former Team USA coach Jack Emmer, who is here serving as a U.S. delegate to the ILF, "using the stick as a weapon."
Not that the Americans are angels. The U.S. has been flagged 23 times in its first two games, including 16 penalties yesterday in its 25-5 victory over England.
Canada has been branded by local newspapers as a "kinder, gentler" team this time around. It will be interesting to see this dynamic play out. After all, players from both teams are accustomed to hacking each other at will in the professional leagues.
Doug Shanahan petitioned, "Let us play. Let us check free. Let this play out."
Adjusting to international rules has been particularly problematic for the U.S., whose 23 players have all played Major League Lacrosse in the last five years. Officials' faceoff cadences are different, and that resulted in numerous violations Friday against Australia. Dead balls are met with hasty re-starts, and that resulted in a second quarter goal that brought England within four goals yesterday.
Most troubling, however, has been the "ticky tack" officiating, as Jay Jalbert called it, that has at times prevented the U.S. from establishing a rhythm.
"I wasn't there four years ago, but you hear the stuff that was going on," Curtis said, adding that the Americans can only benefit from tighter officiating. "It's tough. A lot of the frustration comes a little bit out of confusion. We have to take responsibility for ourselves."
Curtis' role today will be to push out on the wing against John Grant Jr., Canada's at-will scorer who scored three goals yesterday in a 12-8 win over the Iroquois Nationals. Gary Gait likewise had a hat trick for the Canadians. He'll be guarded by Nicky Polanco.
Tom Marechek, the third leg of Canada's attack, did not play yesterday and is questionable today with a hamstring injury.
"I think a lot of us benefit having seen these guys before, but that doesn't mean you're going to be successful against them," Curtis said. "Ninety percent of the time you know what they're going to do and they can still do it, which is a sign of a great player."
Both teams are 2-0, tied for first place in the Blue Division. Canada, however, has been tested more in its wins over Japan, which was within 9-6 midway through the third quarter before the Canadians opened it up in the fourth, and the Iroquois. The U.S. has won its two games by a combined 45-13 score.
"Even against Japan, they really got our footwork going, whereas the Iroquois are really skilled. We've gotten both ends of the spectrum," said Canada defenseman Brodie Merrill.
While the U.S. concerns itself on stopping the Gait-Grant dynamic, Merrill said the Americans' strength is at midfield, meaning Merrill can be expected to apply pressure as a long-stick midfielder in today's game.
"That's where I'm most comfortable, up top," he said. "Their midfielders are fast, athletic players who can create separation so quickly, so easily. They're big, they're fast and they're good shooters. If you put short sticks on them, they're just going to run right by you."
