Welcome to the very first episode of Crease Monsters! I’m Parker Bottcher, and this is the podcast where we talk all things lacrosse — gear, highlights, big trades, and the games everyone’s buzzing about.
In Episode 1, we’re kicking things off with:
- A review of the STX LZR gloves (are they really worth the hype?)
- The upcoming Mann Cup showdown between the Chiefs and the Salmonbellies
- NLL updates including franchise tags, the FireWolves’ move, and the Zed Williams trade
- Canadian lacrosse wins — shoutout to the Coquitlam Adanacs for taking the Minto Cup!
- A little chat about heading into minor lacrosse tryouts
If you’re a player, a fan, or just love lacrosse talk, hit that follow button so you don’t miss what’s next.
Who do you think is taking the Mann Cup this year?
And what do you think about the FireWolves’ move to Ontario?
Let me know on Instagram or YouTube @CreaseMonsters — I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Episode Transcript
Hey. I'm Parker Botcher, and this is Crease
Monsters, the podcast where wetalk all things lacrosse. Epic
highlights, gear reviews, gamepredictions, and, of course,
some special games.
Whether you're stringing up a
new pocket, gearing up for game day, or just
still in between practices, thisis your go to spot for all
things to cross. And if youhaven't already, hit
(00:25):
that
follow button wherever you're listening, and
let's get into it.
Hello, and welcome to episode one of Crease
Monsters podcast. From gearreviews and pro trades to league
champions and even what'shappening in the minor lacrosse,
if it happened in the crease,we're talking about it. Let's
get into it. First up, let'stalk gloves. A few weeks ago, I
(00:49):
picked up the STX LZR gloves.
And let me tell you, these arean absolute game changer. First
thing I noticed, so muchprotection. I've taken a couple
solid hacks wearing thesethings, barely felt it, and it
the padding is unreal. And itdoesn't feel bulky. They've
somehow nailed that sweet spotbetween being super protective
(01:11):
but not turning your hands intobricks.
The second thing, right off therack, these things are super
flexible, move with my handsinstead of fighting against it.
No break in period. No stifffeeling, just straight comfort
control. Grip is on point too.Passing, shooting, cradling, it
all feels smooth compared to mylast pair.
It's like night and day.Honestly, I made the upgrade.
(01:35):
Couldn't be happier if you werelooking for new gloves. The LZRs
are definitely worthconsidering. Alright.
Gear talk done. Let's move intowhat's been making headlines in
the lacrosse world. Big story.The man cup. Six Nations chiefs
in The US Salmon Bellis arefacing off again, and this will
(01:55):
be their fourth time in historythese two have battled for the
man cup.
1994, 1995, 2023, and now 2025.Here's the story. The Salmon
Billies haven't won a man cupsince 1991. That's thirty four
years. Meanwhile, the Chiefs arelooking for their third title in
a row.
If they pull it off, it'll alsomark a full decade of the cup
(02:18):
staying in the East. So if theSalmon Bellies finally break the
streak and bring the cup back tothe West, or are we going to see
the Chiefs keep their winningstreak rolling? Personally, I
would love to see the Belliestake the win. The Chiefs are
still the team to beat. They'rephysical, but for the bellies
have having home flooradvantage, Queens Park Arena,
(02:42):
it's going to be an epic matchupeither way.
I will be cheering the bellieson from the stands. Switching
gears into the NLL, a couple bigupdates. First franchise tag,
Tyler Pace, Zed Williams, ZachCourier, and Christian Dobianco
got tagged. Dobianco,especially, he's he's a backbone
goalie, and Vancouver's warriorslocking him in was a no brainer.
(03:04):
Same with base.
You don't just let guys likethat walk away. Next, some
controversy. The Albanyfirewolves have moved to
Ontario. That means there arenow three Ontario based teams.
Some fans are excited for moreCanadian lacrosse, but others
feel like it's crowding onemarket.
Time will tell if this is theright move. And the trade
everyone's been talking about,Zed Williams heading to
(03:26):
Rochester. In return, theMammoth will receive the tenth
overall draft pick and thetwenty eighth. Honestly, I think
Rochester's got the better dealhere. Williams has proven a
difference maker.
Adding him to their rosterimmediately shifts their
offense. Those draft picks couldbe solid, but Williams is ready
to produce. Now on the Canadianside, some huge wins recently.
(03:50):
Coquitlam Admacs take the MintoCup junior a big win. Congrats
to them.
Tough competition, but they cameout on top. And, of course, the
new West Salmon Belize won theWLA playoffs to punch their
ticket to the man cup. Thatsetup for the man cup showdown,
we're all hyped for. It's been awild summer of box lacrosse.
(04:12):
Alright.
Before we wrap things up, let'stalk about grassroots of the
game. It's that time again.Minor lacrosse field triads are
starting up. So to all theplayers just lacing up their
cleats, I wanted to say, goodluck. Hustle hard.
Most importantly, have fun.Child can feel stressful.
Remember, coaches notice effort,attitude, and teamwork just as
(04:35):
much as big skill. Bring energy,support your teammates, and show
them that you're coachable.That's how you make a great
impression.
To all the young crease monstersout there, keep up grinding
because every rep, every drill,every shift brings you closer to
where you wanna be. Alright.That's a wrap for the episode.
(04:55):
Today, we covered SDX LGRgloves, upcoming man cup battle
between sheaves and bellies,some huge NLL moves, and, of
course, we wish good luck toeveryone heading to minor field
droughts. I'd love to hear yourthoughts.
Who do you think will is the mancup this year, and what do you
think about the firewolf's moveto Ontario? Drop me a comment on
(05:19):
Instagram, YouTube, and let'skeep conversation going.
Alright. That's it for this episode. Thanks for
hanging out. And if you likethis episode, hit that follow
button so you don't miss what'scoming out next. You can catch
extra clips, new reviews, andmore content on Instagram,
YouTube.
Can just search at creepmonsters. Until next time, share
(05:41):
it, save it, and
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