Back Porch Lacrosse

As one of the country's most popular -- and oldest -- sports, lacrosse is a pretty big deal in Canada, and there is perhaps no better example than the Mann Cup (a trophy made of solid gold and valued at, roughly, $25,000). Needless to say, when people are playing for solid gold, they tend to lose their minds from time to time.

On Friday, the Brampton Excelsiors and the New Westminster Salmonbellies took part in Game 1 of the Mann Cup -- a rematch of last year's series, won by the Excelsiors in four games -- and chaos ensued during the second period when a 10-minute free-for-all took place, resulting in 173 penalty minutes and five ejections.

Some sad news coming out of Charlottesville, Virginia, as one of the rising defensive lacrosse stars in the nation was found dead in what one news outlet is saying is an apparent suicide.

Will Barrow, just 22 years old, was a member of the 2006 Virginia national championship team and recently drafted 11th overall by the Chicago Machine, a Major League Lacrosse team that Barrow scored three goals for in just five games.

Spending time in Charlottesville while finishing up his degree, Barrow was found dead in what most are calling a shocker.

Dom Starsia, head coach of UVa's men's lacrosse team, said the team has been spending time together since they heard the news on Saturday.

"The whole thing is stunning and completely bewildering," Starsia said. "We're just trying to sort this out. He was one of the team favorites. He was one of the really good guys to be around."