2024 Mann Cup Preview: Shamrocks vs Chiefs

Shamrocks Face Defending Mann Cup Champions Chiefs in Six Nations.

(Photo: 2014 Mann Cup, the last time these teams faced off)

By: Alex Scott

VICTORIA SHAMROCKS VS. Six Nations Chiefs

BEST-OF-SEVEN SERIES

Shamrocks: 25-2 (Regular Season & Playoffs); defeated Langley Thunder 4-0 in the WLA Finals

Chiefs: 20-2 (Regular Season & Playoffs); defeated Peterborough Lakers 4-2 in the MSL Finals

Game 1: Friday, 5PM pt | 8PM et, at Six Nations

The Victoria Shamrocks and Six Nations Chiefs are set to clash in a highly anticipated Mann Cup showdown. Both teams have dominated their respective leagues, and the series promises to be a thrilling battle between two lacrosse powerhouses.

how they got here

Shamrocks: Victoria enjoyed a perfect regular season, finishing with an 18-0 record, the first ever in WLA history. In the first round of the playoffs, they faced the defending WLA Champions, New Westminster Salmonbellies. Despite facing a tough challenge, the Shamrocks ultimately prevailed in a series-deciding fifth game.


In the Finals, the Shamrocks rediscovered their regular-season form and swept the Langley Thunder in four games to secure the WLA championship.


Chiefs: Six Nations also had a flawless regular season, going 12-0. They received a bye to the second round of the playoffs and defeated the Coburg Kodiaks in four games before capturing their second consecutive MSL championship with a 4-2 series victory over the Peterborough Lakers.


Adam Levi reported on X saying Chiefs Head Coach John Tavares saw the series against Peterborough as an important wake-up call for his team.



Historic Head-to-head

The Shamrocks and Chiefs have a rich history, having faced each other three times in the Mann Cup. The Chiefs have emerged victorious in all three matchups.


1996: Six Nations 4-0 Victoria (Brantford, ON)


2013: Six Nations 4-2 Victoria (Victoria, BC)


2014: Six Nations 4-2 Victoria (Six Nations of the Grand River)


GAME BREAKERS

Shamrocks: The King brothers, Jesse and Marshal continued their dominant performances from the regular season into the playoffs. Jesse, who was coming off a 105-point season in the NLL with the Calgary Roughnecks, led the team with 65 points in the regular season and followed it up with 44 more in the playoffs, earning him WLA playoff MVP. In total, he amassed 109 points in 22 games. Marshal was right behind his brother with 64 points in the regular season and added 39 more in the playoffs, combining for 103 points in 23 games. 


Another key contributor was Clarke Petterson, who entered his first season in the WLA after a 104-point campaign in the NLL with the Halifax Thunderbirds. He put up a total of 52 points in only 17 games. These 3 players will be crucial to the Shamrocks' Mann Cup success on offense.


Chiefs: Six Nations offence is headlined by Dhane Smith, who is coming off a 134-point season and NLL Championship with Buffalo Bandits. He went on to put up 51 points in 17 regular season and playoff games for the Chiefs. Lyle Thompson who scored 87 points in the NLL with the Georgia Swarm, led the Chiefs in scoring with 68 points in 20 games. To round out this superstar offensive cast, Eli McLaughlin and Shayne Jackson, who put up over 90 and 80 points in the NLL, finished with 43 points for the Chiefs. The Chiefs' offense is undoubtedly filled with top-tier talent.

Goaltending

Shamrocks: The Shamrocks have a strong goaltending tandem, with both Chris Origlieri and Cam Dunkerley having previously been starters in the NLL. Origlieri, a finalist for the NLL Goalie of the Year award, led the WLA in all three goaltending categories during the regular season. He continued his impressive play into playoffs, posting a 6-1-1 record with an 8.12 GAA and .835 save percentage. Origlieri will be crucial to the Shamrocks' success in their quest for the Mann Cup.


Chiefs: The Chiefs also have a talented goaltending duo. Doug Jamieson, another finalist for the NLL Goalie of the Year award, helped lead the Albany FireWolves to a surprise NLL Final appearance. Jamieson finished the MSL season and playoffs with an 8-1 record and a 5.56 GAA. Warren Hill, the starter for the Halifax Thunderbirds, finished the MSL season and playoffs with the Chiefs with an 11-1 record, a 6.42 GAA, and a .798 save percentage. The Chiefs have rotated their goaltenders throughout the season, and it remains to be seen who will get the nod for the Mann Cup.

Fun Fact

There are four players who were members of the 2015 Mann Cup-winning Shamrocks participating in this series. Jesse King and Chris Wardle are on offense for the Shamrocks, while Steve Priolo and Bradly Kri are on defense for the Chiefs.



The series promises to be a thrilling spectacle as these two legendary franchises battle for the Mann Cup title.



The series begins Friday, September 6th at 5PM pt, 8PM et, at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena in Six Nations of the Grand River near Hagersville, Ontario. See below for the full schedule.


Shamrocks fans can head to Browns Social House in Langford for the official 2024 Mann Cup Watch Party!


Fans can stream all the games online for FREE at Cable14.com OR Rogerstv.com/chiefs