Another Hawaii tournament is but a long list of pictures and memories of great friends, great times, and great lacrosse as the participants of Hawaii�s Lacrosse tournament return to their normal and not-so-normal lives.  Here in Seattle, two teams participated in the tourney; two groups of the locals returned a little closer together, and a little better for the experience.

Matt Sauri�s �Wimmer Solutions� Started with Da Kineon Friday, winning easily 12-2.  Saturday followed with two decisive wins over Kansai 14-1 and Barbary Coast 8-3.  Barbary went on to win the Open bracket this year, this was a good game to watch.

Sunday pitted the Crease Monkeys versus Wimmer Solutions, with around 20 pro-players on the Wimmer squad.  A few members of local talent filled out the roster on the sidelines at least.  This game was probably the best of the tournament.  Sunday morning at 11AM, the Jesters faced-off against perennial favorite Marin after their usual chippy battle to get to the elite bracket playoffs, while Wimmer tried their hand at the Crease Monkeys.  I, of course, watched the Wimmer v. Monkeys game, and was not disappointed.  Anyone who has seen Tillman Johnson play knows some of the saves he makes may not really be possible, yet he makes them look flawless.  Thanks in part to Tillman�s goal tending, and a few solid transition goals, Wimmer scored the first three goals.  Monkeys started the motor, and scored some solid goals from the likes of Matt Striebel, Gavin Prout and John Grant Jr.  Without a doubt, Wimmer went into half-time with a goal lead, scoring at the last second in the half.  Everyone could feel the intensity in the air, two heavy weights colliding here with more at stake than just bragging rights.  Sauri has played with the Monkeys in years past, and wanted to beat this team with a team he created.  Unfrotunately, the monkeys came out in the second half, ringing the bell and taking momentum to the end with a final score of  8-6 over Wimmer.  The Monkeys dominated Marin in a rain-soaked game including goals with two around-the-world passes for goals and virtual shut out for the three Powells playing together for Marin.  My faith still holds true that Chris Passavilla is one of the best D-men playing.  It seemed as though the championship game was less of a powerhouse than the semis, but we see that a lot here in Seattle.

The Crease Monkeys NW also brought a squad, adding some San Fransisco flavor to the Northwest contingent.  Locals included Colin Lake, Geoff Pattison, Luke Larson, CP Waite, and many of the Northwest squad.  Having the first two draws against the Jesters, and Olympic club, threw the CMNWs into the Aloha bracket, where they won every game after their first two.  In their final game against Da Kine, the Monks put 12 on the board to take home the ugliest trophy in Lacrosse as the Aloha division champions.  One final note here, the NW Monkeys were joined by the honorary or token Canadian, Gary Spaven.  Not only a tremendous goalie, but an ambassador of the game.  We also recruited his dad to coach in the final game, as Steve Wisman was coaching the Master Monkeys.

In between all of this Lacrosse, the social scene was top notch.  After all the tournament functions, we ventured out to the bars and clubs ending up at the Doghouse for many.  After both Friday and Saturday night events, this place was a great place to hang out.  Rookie awards were given out as a result of this fine establishment.  Many prefer Moose�s, leaving several options available for those willing to look. Either the Doghouse or the penthouse both provided all the special ingredients brew a relaxed concoction of righteous attitude and great people to share it.  We only found out how potent it was when we all returned to the Northwest in the cold rain (achew!)

Having taken a team from the Northwest for the past few years, this has been the largest contingent to date.  We had players on four teams transcending local rivalries to ajourn in the celebration of The Maker�s Game.

 See the local write-up here:

http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2004/Oct/29/sp/sp32p.html

 Stay tuned for a day in the life of a Hawaii Lacrosse tourney organizer�and TONS of pictures

Special thanks to John Strohsacker for taking such terrific pictures, check out Laxphoto.com!!