Canada 18 - Japan 7
LONDON, Ont. - After a lethargic first half, Team Canada exploded for seven goals in the fourth quarter as the host team defeated Japan 18-7 in their opening game of the 2006 World Lacrosse Championships at TD Waterhouse Stadium in London last night.
Jeff Zywicki (Ottawa) led the Canadian attack with five goals, including a natural hat trick in the second half. John Grant Jr. (Peterborough, Ont.) had four markers while Tom Marechek (Victoria, B.C.), Gavin Prout (Whitby, Ont.) and Gary Gait (Victoria, B.C.) each added a pair. Singles went to Brodie Merrill (Orangeville, Ont.), Ryan Ward (Victoria, B.C.) and Colin Doyle (Waterloo, Ont.) as Canada outshot Japan 51-25.
Shinya Maruyama and Yoshiro Suzumura each scored twice for Japan with Tetsuhiro Muramatsu, Yusuke Sahoda and Mitsuhito Okabe picking up singles. Canada opened the scoring at the 15:25 mark of the first quarter as Gait found the far side of the Japanese net and beat Goalie Takahika Shinohara. Marachek scored a pair of goals in a span of 26 seconds mid-way through the second frame as Canada led 8-6 at half-time.
The Canadians came out fired up for the second half and scored eight unanswered goals as Canada's physical play took its toll on Team Japan. In the fourth quarter the Canadian squad fired 21 shots at a beleaguered Shinohara. Canada's defense was outstanding after half time, forcing Japan to play well outside for most of the final forty minutes. Japan could only muster a single goal, with Suzumura connecting on the power play with just over two minutes remaining.
Team Japan was good on one of nine power plays while Team Canada failed to capitalize on two opportunities. Canada excelled in the face-off department, winning 24 of 29.
Quarter scores: 3-2, 8-6, 11-6, 18-7
Iroquois Nation 13 - England 10
In the opening game, the Iroquois Nation relied on great penalty-killing and ball control to edge England 13-10.
Neal Powless and Brett Bucktooth each had a pair of goals for the Iroquois. Despite a gutsy effort including a goal from their goalie Ben McAllister, the English could not keep up with the undisciplined Iroquois team.
Quarter scores: 4-3, 6-6, 10-8, 13-10
USA 20 - Australia 8
The Aussies opened up a quick 3-1 lead but the Americans' depth and skill soon took over en route to a 20-8 victory. Michael Powell had four goals to pace the U.S., while Brenden Mundorf and Wes Green led Australia each with a pair. The Americans have not lost a game in international play since the gold-medal game in 1978 which they lost to Canada.
Quarter scores: 1-2, 10-5, 17-6, 20-8
Other Results
Ireland 19 - Hong Kong 4
Netherlands 12 - South Korea 4
Finland 16 - Spain 11
Scotland 13 - Italy 12 (OT)
Germany 18 - New Zealand 3
Denmark 10 - Bermuda 6
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