Gaels open season with win over Brampton

The Green Gaels Junior Lacrosse Club opened their 2026 season in impressive fashion on Thursday night, earning a commanding 11–5 victory over the Brampton Excelsiors at Memorial Arena. 

From the opening faceoff, the Gaels set the tone—playing fast, aggressive, and with the kind of offensive depth that will make them a tough matchup all season long. The team wasted no time getting going, exploding for six goals in the first period to take firm control early. Their transition game was especially effective, turning turnovers into quick-strike offense and forcing Brampton onto their heels.

Lucas Marshall was a key part of that transition attack, scoring twice on breakaways to spark the Gaels’ early momentum. Eric Andrew recorded a strong three-point night with two goals and an assist, while Reed Chamberlain added a pair of goals of his own. Carson MacNeal and Willem Serviss each contributed a goal and an assist, highlighting a balanced scoring effort throughout the lineup.

While the offensive performance was sharp, discipline will be an area for improvement moving forward. The Gaels were assessed 11 minor penalties and one major, giving Brampton extended opportunities with the man advantage. Despite that, the group was able to manage the game effectively and limit the damage against.

Defensively, the Gaels held Brampton to five goals on the night, with goaltender Craig Johannson turning aside 21 of 26 shots in a steady 60-minute performance. Johannson was recognized for his efforts, earning Q & L Financial Services Player of the Game honours for the Green Gaels. Even with the amount of time spent shorthanded, the group stayed resilient and found ways to maintain control of the game.

The third period brought a moment of concern, as Lucas Marshall was involved in a scary incident just 30 seconds into the frame. Thankfully, he was evaluated and released from hospital and has since returned to the team, a positive outcome following what was an unsettling moment for both benches.

After building their early lead, the Gaels were able to close things out with confidence, securing a strong opening result to begin the season.

With the victory, the Green Gaels begin their 80th anniversary season on the right note, delivering a performance that reflects the organization’s commitment to Family, Honour, Pride, and Tradition. The team will now look to clean up details and build on this strong start as they prepare for their next test on Sunday afternoon, when they travel to face the Orillia Kings at 2:00 PM.