Blazers Recognized for Outstanding Play in World Indoor Championships
May 31, 2011 Team USA forward Casey Powell has been named the Most Valuable Player of the 2011 FIL World Indoor Lacrosse Championships in Prague. Powell was also named to the All-World Team as he led the Americans’ offense with 16 goals and 15 assists in five games.
In the 16-7 bronze medal game win over the Czech Republic today, he scored three goals and added three assists. The indoor games were the first for the Team USA alternate captain and former Syracuse University standout.
“It was a fantastic experience and a tremendous honor,” Powell said. “Knowing that this is one of my last international competitions, it means that much more to win this award.”
Powell and Canada’s Dan Dawson were named the two forwards for the six-man team. The duo is teammates for the National Lacrosse League’s Boston Blazers. Dawson was also named the Most Outstanding Forward as he scored 14 goals and added 13 assists. Sid Smith of the Iroquois National and Canada’s Kyle Rubisch (Boston Blazers) were honored as the top two defensemen. Smith, who plays for the NLL’s Rochester Knighthawks, was named the Top Defenseman of the World Games.
The best goaltender honor went to Knighthawks netminder Matt Vinc who led Canada to the gold medal with 60 saves in two playoff games. He was also named the Championship Game MVP in a 29-save effort against the Iroquois. Vinc recently was named the NLL’s Goalie of the Year for the second straight season. The transition position and the Transition Player of the World Games were bestowed upon Cody Jamieson of the Iroquois Nationals. Jamieson scored 16 goals and collected six assists for the silver-medal winning Iroquois. The Knighthawks’ Jamieson was named to the NLL All-Rookie Team in 2011, as he led all rookies in scoring.
Canada captured its third straight gold medal with a 13-6 victory over the Iroquois. The Nationals (4-1) and Americans (4-2) also followed suit as they won silver and bronze, respectively, for the third straight time. The host Czech Republic finished fourth. Team England placed fifth, while the Australians earned sixth place. Rounding out the eight-team tournament were Ireland (seventh) and Slovakia (eighth).
By Craig Rybczynski