Lakers Bring Saints Back to Earth

After winning both their home games in the best-of-five quarter finals of the BCJALL, the Lakers came into game four with the one game advantage over the Saints; it was back to Poco Arena where one week earlier the Saints evened up the series with a convincing 10-7 win.

Just like game two in Poco the arena was packed and the crowd was rowdy. Burnaby wasted no time in getting ahead with a quick goal from Cam Appels just half a minute into the game. Chase Williams would score a couple of minutes later to dampen the crowd, but Trevor Evans and Jordan Flaman would quickly score to tie the game at two goals a piece. Brent Laurita would get called for holding and Ryan Kwasnica would score to give the Saints their first lead of the game.

Then it was Poco who would be in some penalty troubles and Burnaby who would capitalize. The Lakers scored four goals to end the first 6-3 and give Poco something to work for in the second.

To start the middle frame Mike Gilmore was called for delay of game when he slashed a Saints stick after the whistle had gone. In the first Darcy Cummings was called for the same penalty so the refs gave into the crowds demands. On the power play Martin Cummings would score, but Neil Arbogast would counter right away with a beauty short handed goal- his first as a Burnaby Laker.

Flaman would score another for Poco, but Alex Gajic and Shaun Dhaliwal would ensure the lead was cushioned to head into the final twenty.

Having to catch up by at least four goals would be no easy task for Poco, they would have to revert back to game two when they managed to crack Burnaby mentally and shut down their scoring. Another key in beating a team like the Lakers is not to let them have the man advantage and that's where Poco got themselves into a bit of trouble.

Four undisciplined penalties in the third period alone gave the Lakers that extra bit of confidence to finish the job. Jordan Flaman would score one more for Poco but Shaun Dhaliwal and Cam Appels both had their second goals on the night in the third period to end the game 11-6 and the series 3-1.

The Saints did well to take game two and managed to crack Burnaby's game when it counted; but the strength of the Lakers came through and the players who needed to step up- did. 

I thought I was talking to the Canucks organization at playoff time when I asked Lakers' Head Coach Remo Spagnuolo where Joe Vetere was, and was told he was out with an 'upper body injury'. In Vetere's absence Dane Stevens has stepped up his game, Neil Arbogast is looking more comfortable with his new team, and Brock Armour and Shaun Dhaliwal are looking extra confident in all areas on the floor. For game four the Lakers had six players with three or more points; coupled with the weapon that is Alex Gajic, the Lakers are ready for the semi's where they will face the number one seed Coquitlam Adanacs.