BCJALL Exhibition Action at Sun God Arena

By Jen Mutas

Day one of exhibition weekend at Sun God Arena in Delta did not disappoint fans, eager to see some British Columbia Junior A Lacrosse League action again. All teams that were expected to win did just that, but the first three games set the tone for a great upcoming season with lots of goals, hits, penalties, and all around good old fashioned lacrosse.

Game one saw returning champs Burnaby take on the Adanacs. 

The mood was set early in this game with good control, and lots of contact. Although the Lakers clearly had the size advantage, Coquitlam stepped up to the challenge, and didn't back down. The Adanacs did well from outside the crease but the Lakers controlled game proved to be too much.

Ron Schibild was solid in net for Burnaby making huge saves at the right times. Chris Craig from the Adanacs got great feeds from his teammates and put up 2 goals. Lakers runner Alex Gajic showed great vision scoring the teams 10th and final goal, and also put up 3 notable assists.

Penalties were almost even in the game with Coquitlam putting up 14 minutes, and the Lakers spending 16 in the box.

Final score was 10-5 in favour of Burnaby.

Minto Cup hosts New West took on the Delta Islanders for game 2.

Delta came out strong in front of their crowd with Robbie Campbell scoring first at 17:45. Campbell and Vince Canil both had promising breakaways early in the first, but New West goalie Sean Tessarolo was solid between the posts.

New West looked to be in some penalty trouble early in the game but Dean Duncan put up a beauty unassisted goal for the Salmonbellies, which got momentum flowing for his team.

New West started the second quick, scoring 6 goals and playing smart defensively. Kyle Belton gave a solid feed to Alex Turner for a great shorthanded goal with three and a half minutes to go in the period.

Delta had impressive drives to the net but just couldn't capitalize under New Westminster defense. Mike Berkoff managed to find the back of the net about halfway through the period but the second came to a close with a score of 9-2 for the Bellies.

Looking comfortable with their lead, NW played in control, with the best goals coming in the third. Max Gallant fed Mike Paul who slid the ball across the floor and right into the back of the mesh. The Salmonbellies last goal with a minute to go was arguably the best of the day. Kyle Belton found the top right corner of the net with great precision from just beyond the crease.

Islanders runner Carlton Shuss started the third with penalty trouble, getting called for cross checking and then getting a double minor for slashing, with two minutes to go in the game. Mike Berkoff scored another two exciting goals for Delta, and Robbie Campbell bounced one off the post with 30 seconds to go in the period. 

New West took game 2 at a score of 12-4 with Mike Paul impressing the crowd putting up 3 goals and 3 assists for the Salmonbellies.

Port Coquitlam took on Surrey for the final match of day 1.

The Stickmen started the game loud and their fans were no exception! Looking at last years standings you wouldn't have been able to tell which team stood where after the first frame. Poco took a while to get comfortable and Surrey started the game very focused and intense.

At only 3-1 in favour of the Saints after the first, Poco ripped up the second period scoring 7 and holding Surrey to their only goal. Saints runner Curtis Steedsman got his own rebound about 5 minutes in, and spun around to make sure it counted. Trevor Evans fed Mike Connor for an impressive set play worthy of a highlight reel. Jesse Rougeau and Andrew Murphy kept it interesting defensively, teaming up and sandwiching quite a few of the Stickmen. Surrey got into some penalty trouble and couldn't get the flow going.

But whatever was said between the second and third period worked for the Stickmen. Dane Eitel was intense from the first minute of the first period and came out strong with a beauty diving goal at 14:15 of the third. Dave Johnson laid massive checks to keep the atmosphere physical, and Devon Murphy drew a penalty on a promising breakaway with 2 minutes to go. Surrey took advantage of their 5 on 3 scoring with just 6 seconds left in the period.

PoCo scored just 45 seconds into the third but after that were held to their score of 11. They had chance after chance in the final period but Surrey's goalie was having none of it. Josh Wear had great drives and an impressive goal in the second. Poco's goalie wasn't tested a lot but was solid throughout, especially when the Saints were a man down.

Both teams had 22 minutes in the box, with high sticking being the penalty of choice.

Final score was 11-4 for the Saints.