BCJALL Playoff Preview

Written by: Muhammad Jomha 

This year's reduction to only four playoff teams meant almost as much buying and selling as last campaigns unprecedented amount. Leaving little doubt in GM's minds whether they were a buyer or seller was the gulf in the standings between teams on either side of the cut line. Really slow starts by both Burnaby and New West coupled with Nanaimo and Poco jumping out of the gates left the race for the playoffs lacking drama. As a result perennial contenders within the province, Coquitlam and Victoria, were able to load up at the deadline. In no other place were more reinforcements brought in than Victoria who added the likes of Vela, Klarich & Richmond to name a few. While Coquitlam answered with Phillips & Malawsky out of Langley. While it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out who the favourites are on paper, let's take a look at how things are going to play out on the floor.

#1. Coquitlam (18-3) vs Port Coquitlam (10-10-1)

Season Series: Coquitlam 3-0 (9-2, 15-12, 12-4)

Coquitlam has really owned their cross-town rivals over the past decade plus but the same can be said for most teams in the BCJALL. Port Coquitlam started red hot winning their first six games of the season before crashing down to the earth as the relatively young core learns how to win. Plenty of credit should go to the coaching staff lead by Travis Cornwall who obviously had the team ready to go off the hop this summer. Now lies an entirely different beast though as Poco is tasked with taking on a buttoned up and well balanced Adanacs team that is well coached. It's hard to imagine the Saints scoring all that much against one of the better defensive sides in the country and Coquitlam boasts so many different ways to beat you. Most importantly, the Adanacs provide plenty of poise and athleticism which will likely lead to forcing the Saints into mistakes and playing a brand of lacrosse they aren't all that adept or comfortable playing.

For the Saints to steal a game in this series Ryder Bremner is going to have to substantially out play Jack Kask in net and the Saints are going to have to throw a few things at the Adanacs they aren't expecting. Perhaps the Cornwall's will have the Saints playing some type of zone defensively or maybe they come out and try and press. Whatever it is, the Saints are going to have to pull out all the stops because Charbonneau, Phillips, Dillon, Malawsky et al will get theirs and provide scoring pressure on the Saints to have to keep pace with. Also as you should know by now, that Coquitlam defense isn't going to be easy to deal with. Port Coquitlam probably can't go toe to toe with Coquitlam on special teams either so trying to keep the game 5-on-5 and be strong in transition will be huge for the Saints.

Prediction: You truly never know in sports and believe me I'd like to see some intrigue in these playoffs. But in no way can I logically go with anything else other than COQUITLAM 3-0

#2. Victoria (15-6) vs Nanaimo (14-7)

Season Series: Nanaimo 2-1 (5-12, 13-8, 8-6)

Victoria will have the name cache on their side, but my goodness does this Nanaimo team have heart. Far exceeding any kind of prognostications coming into the season the Timbermen roll into the playoffs having beaten Victoria twice in a row. The latest victory after Victoria had made a bunch of their deadline acquisitions. Nanaimo profiles as a very dangerous type of team that plays an aggressive fast and tough brand of lacrosse lead by key defenders and transition players like Levi Verch and Jordon Vincent that can disrupt the way you want to play and your rhythm. Additionally, the Timbermen are playing with house money after surpassing pre-season expectations by more than anyone and oh by the way they also have one of the best goalies in the country between the pipes in Colby Bowman who gives them a shot almost every night.

Meanwhile the Shamrocks present their own stabilizing presence between the pipes in veteran Adam Bland who led Victoria to a BC crown and MInto Cup appearance a season ago. You would expect this series to have no shortage of quality goaltending. The biggest advantage the 'Rocks have is the type of shooters they can floor compared to that of Nanaimo. An offensive unit that includes the likes of Pepper, Vela, Mannng, Klarich and Johannes among others. Victoria has a plethora of finishers that can do damage out of seemingly nowhere. The Vic powerplay will be a huge key in this series, one that clicked at almost a ridiculous 40% rate this season and has recently brought in three guys from a Burnaby Lakers outfit that was clicking at a league leading and insane 57% clip. A number that would almost certainly be one of the highest of all time. Fortunately for Nanaimo, they present the league's best penalty kill at 76% so you may have a bit of a strength-on-strength situation there and a matchup that will be fascinating to watch as the series progresses.

Both on the surface and once you delve into these two franchises and their identity this appears to be a classic offensive vs defensive battle. While typically the more defensive-minded less powerful/potent team will want to slow things down that won't be the case here as Nanaimo wants to play fast and probably has the athleticism advantage over Victoria. If this series plays out more so in controlled 5-on-5 sets and special teams Victoria likely wins out. However if Nanaimo is able to dictate tempo and get out and run then its advantage Timbermen. You'll likely be able to tell pretty early in this series which team has success establishing their style of play.

Prediction: This is a great series on paper, between two teams that have no love lost. If you do anything these playoffs make sure you watch this series. It's difficult when all you have to go on is a few games via video and aren't able to see teams live. But based on what I know of these two, their history and current make up. I've got to go with NANAIMO 3-2 as they advance to take on Coquitlam in the BCJALL final.

Most of all enjoy the playoffs all over the country as teams try to make their way to Edmonton for the 2023 Minto Cup. The best part of the season is upon us! Thanks for reading and take care of yourselves.

-Muhammad

Twitter: (@Mj_9)