Canada continued its remarkable undefeated streak at the 2024 World Lacrosse Men’s Box Championship, warding off the United States, 13-7, to claim its sixth gold medal in the event on Sunday at the Adirondack Bank Center.
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Canada has won every edition of the championship dating back to 2003 and has yet to suffer a defeat in the competition, boasting a 35-0 record. In Utica, Canada won each of its six games by at least three goals.
The United States took home the silver medal in its best-ever finish in the event.
The two teams entered a charged atmosphere in Utica with the United States trying to match the historic win accomplished by its women’s team an hour earlier on the same field. But Canada imprinted its control of the game early, and after eight scoreless and physical minutes, Canada piled on three goals in quick succession with one from Jeff Teat and two from Shayne Jackson.
The United States worked its way back into the game after 24 minutes to make it 4-3 heading into halftime. The Americans hung around thanks to their defensive intensity and goalkeeping from Gowah Abrams, who made 26 first half saves. Christian Del Bianco was impressive as well, foiling the United States with 29 saves of his own in two quarters.
Right out of the gates in the third quarter, Canada seized its opportunity with three goals in four minutes to break the game open at 7-3. After three more minutes without an American response, Canada bunched three more goals in three more minutes to give itself breathing room at 10-3.
The United States cut it to five entering the fourth, but Canada’s ruthless power play ball movement contributed to another three goal run keyed by Dhane Smith and Josh Byrne, and at 13-5 with six minutes to play, Canada zipped through the final minutes on the way to its celebrations.
Five players finished with multiple goals for Canada. Teat amassed three goals and four assists and Dhane Smith racked up two goals and six assists in a playmaking clinic.
Ryan Smith added three assists and Jackson finished with a hat trick. Del Bianco played a massive role, making 10 or more saves in each quarter to finish with 51 saves and an 88% save percentage in one of the performances of the tournament.
Veteran attacker Joe Resitarits led the United States with three goals and two assists. Charlie Bertrand added three assists.
Teat was named the Most Valuable Player of the men’s box championship and landed on the six-person World Team. Del Bianco was the goalkeeper on the team and Canada defenseman Steve Priolo also landed on the team.
Conor Kirst and Jack Hannah were named to the team for the United States.
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