CLL
Canada Day Battle Against the United States
The United States and Canada clashed in Brooks, Alberta on Canada Day, as the most anticipated match-up of the early 2026 IIJL World Junior Lacrosse Championship.
In 2025 the IIJL World Junior Lacrosse Championship moved from an August calendar to June/July dates in 2025. With the schedule move it allowed the CLL, when hosting, to schedule additional activities for international teams to experience additional local Canada Day festivities while celebrating Canada's National Summer Sport. In 2025 Canada faced-off against Australia to kick-off the new tradition and then enjoy water front fireworks in downtown Kingston, Ontario.
The 2026 IIJL World Junior Lacrosse Championship would play host to the first every United States vs Canada - Canada Day match-up. With over 1,800 fans in attendance at Centennial Regional Arena, the atmosphere did not disappoint.
Both teams started the 1st Quarter cautiously, testing each other, and patiently waiting for the opposing side to make the first error. Capitalizing on that moment came at the highway point of the opening frame when the United States broke the stalemate with a goal from Drew Norris at 7:34. Canada did not wait long to respond with a goal from Michael Dyck at 6:20. Canada scored twice, from Brandon McNalley (PP) and Jevan Munro, assisted by McNalley, capping a three goal run to close the 1st Quarter.
Canada opened the 2nd Quarter with another goal from McNalley (PP). The United States responded to keep the score within reach on an even strength goal from Cheytan Pazienza, a spark for the United States igniting a run of their own. The United States would capitalize on a power play and an even strength goal, both from Tyler Sebastian, drawing even to Canada ending the first half 5-5.
Coming out of halftime the United States and Canada exchanged goals and runs throughout the 3rd Quarter. Fischer Gadbois and Dominic Terrazzano started the United States scoring at 13:46 and 13:22, respectively. Canada struck back quickly with two goals of their own, from Myles Balliston assisted by McNalley, and Dyck also assisted by McNalley tying the game at 7-7. Two quick blows from each teams again, from Terrazzano (PP) for the United States, and from McNalley for Canada, deadlocked at 8-8. At 3:57 Sebastian scored a power play goal that started a three goal run for the United States. Sebastian scored his fourth goal and Pazienza added his second goal of the game ending the 3rd Quarter with a 11-8 United States led over Canada.
With a three goal lead heading into the 4th Quarter the United States had no time to relax. Dyck scored his third goal of the game on the power play to bring Canada within two. Sebastian answered back with his fifth goal for the United States to regain the three goal lead. After setting down Canada put together a two goal run from McNalley, his fifth goal of the game, and Archer Hunt cutting the United States lead to one; 12-11. The United States responded at 7:32 on a goal from Pazienza, his hat trick goal, 13-11. Scoring tightened up from that point on, both teams valuing each possession of the ball knowing one error could lead to widening the game or losing grip on the two goal lead. Tension in the arena finally broke when Dyck score his fourth goal of the game with :58 seconds left in the game to bring Canada within one goal; 13-12.
Both the United States and Canada would use Timeouts at :45 and :42 seconds remaining in the game, respectively. All four goaltenders saw action. For the United States Nathan Rukel made 15 Saves in 30:00 minutes, Beck Hagen made 16 Saves 30:00 minutes. For Canada Marek Corbiere made 12 Saves in 13:09 minutes, while Dane Stiefel made 45 Saves in 46:51 minutes.
[PHOTO: Loading Lacrosse Players of the Game presented by SportSide Source for Sports — United States #6 Tyler Sebastian (left) and Canada #45 Brandon McNalley (right).]