Victoria Shamrocks and Coquitlam Adanacs Set to Clash in 2026 WLA Finals for Mann Cup Berth

The Western Lacrosse Association (WLA) finals are officially set, pitting the regular-season juggernaut Victoria Shamrocks against the resilient Coquitlam Adanacs. Following a grueling semifinal round, the two British Columbia clubs will now battle in a best-of-seven series for the provincial championship.[1]

The stakes extend far beyond the West Coast. The winner of this series will pack their bags for Ontario to compete for the 2026 Mann Cup, Canada’s historic Senior A box lacrosse national championship. They will face the winner of the Major Series Lacrosse (MSL) finals, currently being contested between the Peterborough Lakers and Six Nations Chiefs.[4]

Victoria enters the finals as the undisputed heavyweight of the 2026 campaign. The Shamrocks compiled a dominant 16-2 regular-season record to easily secure the top seed. They carried that momentum into the playoffs, making quick work of their Vancouver Island rivals, the Nanaimo Timbermen, in a clean three-game semifinal sweep that concluded on August 7.[3]

That sweep afforded the Shamrocks over a week of crucial rest and recovery time. Head coach Bruce Alexander’s squad has relied on a "winning by committee" approach, though their offensive production has been anything but average. The extra time off has allowed their deep roster to heal minor bumps and bruises ahead of the grueling championship round.[3]

Leading the charge for Victoria is Zach Manns, who captured the 2026 WLA scoring title with a staggering 90 points during the regular season. Alongside captain Marshal King, Manns has anchored a lethal attack that consistently overwhelmed opponents, averaging over 11 goals per game throughout the summer.[3]

The Coquitlam Adanacs, meanwhile, took a much more arduous path to the finals. Finishing third in the regular-season standings with a 12-6 record, they drew a tough semifinal matchup against the second-seeded Maple Ridge Burrards.[1]

The series proved to be a grueling back-and-forth affair. After Coquitlam pushed Maple Ridge to the brink, the Burrards fought back to force a decisive Game 5 on August 11. However, the Adanacs regrouped and delivered a clutch performance on August 13 to eliminate the Burrards and punch their ticket to the championship round.[1]

Coquitlam's success has been built on a foundation of stingy defense and elite goaltending. Netminder Christian Del Bianco has been a wall between the pipes, boasting an 84.5 save percentage during the regular season. His ability to steal games and frustrate opposing shooters will be heavily tested against Victoria's high-octane offense.

The goaltending duel promises to be a defining feature of the series. While Del Bianco anchors Coquitlam, Victoria counters with Chris Origlieri, who led all WLA starters with an 87.4 save percentage and a 5.66 goals-against average. With two of the best goalies in the world facing off, goals will be at an absolute premium.

The elimination of the Maple Ridge Burrards also means the WLA finals will proceed without the league's newly crowned Most Valuable Player. Marcus Klarich, who posted 85 points for the Burrards, won the award for the second consecutive year on August 3, but his individual brilliance was not enough to overcome Coquitlam's depth and defensive structure.[2]

As the series gets underway, the contrast in playoff journeys offers a classic lacrosse narrative: the heavily favored, well-rested top seed against a battle-hardened challenger riding the momentum of a Game 5 triumph. Both teams possess the talent and the pedigree to represent the West, but only one will survive the physical toll of a best-of-seven series.[1][3]

For the eventual champion, the ultimate prize awaits in September. The Mann Cup, donated in 1910 and forged from solid gold, represents the pinnacle of the sport in Canada. Both the Shamrocks and Adanacs are now just four wins away from a chance to etch their names into lacrosse history.[4][5]