July 20, 2006

LONDON, Ontario -- Four different players scored within a six-minute span in the first period as Canada jumped out to a 4-1 lead and cruised to a 16-6 victory over the Iroquois Nationals in an International Lacrosse Federation (ILF) World Championship semifinal at a rain-soaked TD Waterhouse Stadium. The Canadians improved to 6-1 and set up a rematch with the U.S. in Saturday's championship game.

 

After Gewas Schindler scored 90 seconds in to put the Iroquois ahead, Ryan Ward assisted consecutive goals by Gavin Prout and Jordan Hall at the 17:02 and 15:39 marks, respectively, to give Canada a lead it would not relinquish. Colin Doyle then fed Andy Turner, and Gary Gait assisted on Jeff Zywicki's first of two first-half markers as Canada put it in cruise mode by midway through the period. The Canadians will be looking to avenge Sunday's 13-12 loss to the Americans, who won that game on a Jay Jalbert goal with three seconds remaining.

 

"We forgot about that," Gary Gait said slyly. "The last game is our motivation. It's been a long time [since] '78. The motivation is we've been close - within a goal the last two Worlds - and now we get another shot.

 

"It's nice to have that game finally be the next one."

 

Canada extended to an 11-3 halftime lead on the strength of a 5-0 run that saw five different players score. Schindler tallied again to open the second half, but Zywicki netted back-to-back markers (he would finish with five) to quickly vanquish any hopes of a comeback.

 

What little intrigue remained in the second half was provided by the entrance of Canadian backup goalie Kyle Miller in the fourth quarter. Wearing a knee brace and a protective sleeve on his right lower leg, Miller, who battled cancer while resurrecting his career at Cornell, saw action at his end and made a save. It was his fourth appearance of the tournament.

 

"I still don't have my entire flexion with my right foot coming up," said Miller. "A lot of it is just getting through with lifting my leg a lot higher. It makes me a little slower, but I just got used to it.

 

"The group of guys around me doesn't make me feel any different. They give me support everyday. It's unbelievable playing with these guys."

 

For complete statistics and the schedule for the remainder of the 2006 ILF championships, visit the event Web site at www.2006worldlacrosse.com.