Lakers Even Things Up

Game one of the BCJALL finals was a tight match up with the Shamrocks edging Burnaby 5-4 at home on the Island. This weekend would set the tone for the rest of the series, giving Victoria a two game cushion, or giving the Lakers hope of yet another BC title.

Matt Flindell has been a tough egg to crack all year for the other seven teams in the league, and playoff time is no different, if not tougher. Shaun Dhaliwal managed to squeek Burnaby's second shot through Flindell to gave the Lakers a boost to start the game. Brock Armour got set up from Mike Gilmore and goalie Scott Lowe about five minutes later to give Burnaby the two goal advantage. 

Kyle McCartney broke the goal barrier for Victoria in the first, and although the Shamrocks seemed to be holding their possession better than Burnaby, the Lakers went into the second with the goal advantage.

Victoria managed to get their shots up to Burnaby's in the second, and with those shots came a couple of goals. Mike Pires would tie the game at two thanks to some miscommunication on the floor from Burnaby, and after Dane Stevens gave Burnaby the go-ahead again, Joel Henry countered with a goal of his own to keep the 'Rocks in the game.

In the third each team would score just one goal, Alix Gajic for the Lakers and anther for Mike Pires. Both teams held their own in the final frame and each had their chances to go ahead. Sean Nugent got called for cross checking with just ninety seconds left in the game which gave Victoria a serious opportunity to take the game. Burnaby managed to kill the penalty which gave them a final burst of energy to take them into the overtime period.

Just a minute and a half in, Greg Martinello came out of nowhere and buried one past Flindell. After that goal, the usually solid net minder seemed to be rattled. Alix Gajic could sense the uneasiness and went up and over his defender and caught Flindell while he was down to bury it in the top right corner of the net to give Burnaby a two goal lead in OT. To cap the extra frame off, Brent Laurita picked up possession in his own end and carried the ball all the way into Victoria's end for a beauty unassisted goal to end the game 7-4 for the Lakers.

There was some heavy hitting to end the game with Alex Gajic and Rhys Jones trading cross checks; Jones getting the penalty and Dhaliwal would get called for roughing after backing up his captain. 

A bright side for Victoria, Mike Pires was involved in every goal the Shamrocks had (2goals 2assists) and was a constant source of offense and defense when they needed it. Burnaby was slow out of the gate but got the job done. A three point night for Martinello, Gajic, and Dane Stevens really showed the team effort of the match.

Game three should be interesting, and goes down tonight in Victoria.