The backlog of experience and discipline for Team Canada ultimately pulled them away for a hard-fought, intense 13-7 win over Team USA in the World Lacrosse Box Championship. Team USA flashed brilliance at times, but it was against Canada’s poise and ability to finish on most of their chances, particularly on that critical six-goal run, that was the difference in this game. Let’s take a moment to breakdown the game from start to finish.
Canada struck early as Jeff Teat scored the first goal of the game with 6:16 remaining in the first quarter, assisted by Dhane Smith. Canada’s offense didn’t let up as Shayne Jackson added two quick goals that gave Canada a commanding 3-0 lead. Team USA struggled to find their rhythm offensively, as the defense and goaltender Christian Del Bianco stifled their attack.
USA finally got on the board late in the second quarter, when Joe Resetarits scored with an assist from Joel White with 1:03 left before the second quarter. Now only down 3-1, hopes were that Team USA might gain some momentum and take it into the next quarter. Still, Canada came out firing again and quickly squashed any hope for a come-from-behind victory.
It was Zach Currier getting the Canadians back on the board to cut it to 4-1. But Mac O’Keefe and Blaze Riorden scored for USA to cut the deficit to 4-3 with time left in the half. It would be quiet for the remainder of the first half. However, Canada went on a dominant six-goal run from there that all but sealed the victory. A netting with Wesley Berg followed by Dhane Smith and Jeff Teat chipped in before to stake Canada to a 7-3 lead.
Canada kept the foot on the gas for the rest of the game. Josh Byrne scored short-handed and Shayne Jackson added another one just one minute later. Jeff Teat completed his hat trick with a power-play goal, pushing the score to 10-3. The experience in the Canadian group began to show as USA struggled to generate quality chances, often settling for low-percentage shots. That brilliant display in goal from Christian Del Bianco did little to make things easier for Team USA.
While USA mounted a late surge with some goals from CJ Kirst and Joey Spallina, brought the score to 10-5, it was when Canada’s experience took back over. Dhane Smith scored once more on the power play before eventually netting another power play from Josh Byrne and one final from Robert Church with short time remaining, making it 13-5. USA tacked on two late power-play goals courtesy of Joe Resetarits, but at this stage, the damage was done.
It was that six-goal run by Canada that they nailed down the coffin. With the best of efforts by USA, the team just couldn’t capitalize on those offensive possessions and struggled to get high-quality shots on goal. The experience of Canada box lacrosse shone through with its high-stake situations, allowing them to pull away and keep control of the game.
Statistics show that Canada dominated, even though USA outshot them 58-50. He was a brick wall between the pipes as Del Bianco made 44 saves with an 88% save percentage. On the other side of things, USA’s Gowan Abrams made 28 saves while allowing 9 goals, finishing with a 76% save percentage. Drew Hutchison came in later on to make 9 saves on 13 shots with a 69% save percentage.
Jeff Teat led the way for the Canadians, posting 3 goals and 4 assists in the win, while Dhane Smith continued his remarkable form with 2 goals and 6 assists. Smith has been having one of the best years in lacrosse history, taking the NLL Cup, Mann Cup, and now the World Box Lacrosse Championship. The main man for Team USA was Joe Resetarits with 3 goals and 2 assists, while Joey Spallina had a more subdued game with 1 goal and 1 assist but showed flashes of brilliance and is going to be a force to be dealt with for this team in the years to come.
In the end, it was Canada’s execution at the biggest moments, depth of their talent, and in-game experience of prominent players such as Dhane Smith and Jeff Teat that let them sprint far from the field to earn Canada another World Box Lacrosse Championship. This defeat for USA might have stung deep, but there is every reason to believe the future may turn out bright with young stars like Spallina ready to drive the vehicle.
