In 2021, the East Coast finally got a team in North America’s top professional lacrosse league. The East Coast has what it takes to support the Halifax Thunderbirds. This was only natural. We have the grit it takes to appreciate lacrosse. Every day, hundreds of our fishermen fasten the straps on their hip waders before the sun rises to battle the waves of the Atlantic Ocean. Lacrosse is the creator’s game, the game the Mi’kmaq have played for centuries. It’s only natural that the Thunderbirds have flown home. In this column, we’ll get to know your Halifax Thunderbirds on the floor and in the community. If you’re already a fan, welcome back to another season of Thunderbird’s lacrosse. If you’re new to the game, welcome to the nest. To all, welcome to The Birds Eye View.
On November 28, the National Lacrosse League (NLL) released a list of the top eight teams it believes are the best in the league based on pre-season games. The Halifax Thunderbirds were not on the list.
The Thunderbirds’ first game is on December 7, 2024, at the Scotiabank Centre.
On Saturday, Nov. 23, the Thunderbirds competed in their final pre-season game, going on the road to play the Ottawa Black Bears, a new team in the NLL.
In the second quarter, Thunderbirds forward Randy Staats took a few steps off the bench into the offensive zone, caught the ball, took two hop steps while he sized up the goalie, and then took his shot. The goalie flinched to his right to match where the six-foot-three Halifax player’s body was pointing. The ball was already tucked under the crossbar on his left by the time the Ottawa goaltender realized it was a feint.
Then Staats walked by Black Bears in fresh red and black uniforms to see his teammates, who were wearing plain white practice jerseys and dull grey gym shorts.
The Thunderbirds looked calm, confident and focused. Graeme Hossack, a Thunderbirds defender, came out of pre-season as the first ranked defenseman in the NLL. Jake Withers, the face— off man, was ranked the fifth best transition player.
But every lacrosse game is a battle; the Thunderbirds only won by one goal against Ottawa, and lost their two other pre-season games.
They’re coming off a good 2023-24 season. Halifax finished sixth out of 15 teams in the 2023-24 season with a 10-8 record, tying their best regular season finish. They had 228 goals, which was the second most in the National Lacrosse League. And Jake Withers, the face—off man, finished with 98 more draw wins than the next guy.
The season wasn’t without its problems, though. The Thunderbirds had 200 goals against them while four of five teams above them had under 200. Withers led the league in face— off wins … and in penalty minutes. Thunderbirds captain Cody Jamieson told me in an early February interview they needed to work on holding a lead late in games. At the start of March, he said the team was struggling to start the game composed.
The Thunderbirds have the talent to be successful in the NLL, but they have some things to clean up.
“Chop wood, carry water, that’s what we need to do,” Jamieson said.
Time will tell if a “workman’s mentality” can make them a contender this season.
Recent Comments