Potential Playoff Preview

Four of the five top players in the BCJALL points standings play for Burnaby and Coquitlam; Sunday night these two teams went head to head for the first time since April 27th when the Adanacs edged the Lakers 4-3.

Both teams are now looking ahead to the home stretch and trying to solidify their spots for playoffs, and to get a look at teams they may face on their way to the top. These two were the final BC teams vying for the Minto Cup last season, and always provide an entertaining matchup.

The first period was very disciplined from both squads, each not wanting to be the first to make that crucial mistake. After nearly half a period Brock Armour would get Burnaby on the board first just squeaking the ball past Joel Weber.

The first and only penalty of the period would be called against Ross Dougan for holding and Coquitlam would waste no time in making the Lakers pay. The Adanacs carried out their man advantage with textbook plays, passing the ball quick and knowing exactly where to put it. Michael Krgovich would be the eventual goal-getter for the A's, and teammate Shane Anderson would follow shortly after, giving Coquitlam a 2-1 lead to head into the middle frame.

In the second, Burnaby would continue their great defensive play and Coquitlam would counteract with extremely disciplined play.

Scott Defrancesco and Jim Clifford would score for the A's but three goals for Burnaby, including a short handed goal from Matt Miyashita would even the score at four a piece.

The third period would start with a rumble of lacrosse sticks against the boards, which gave the game a real playoff like atmosphere; both teams obviously wanting to get a jump start on the period and take over.

Another short handed goal for Burnaby, this time coming from Riley Loewen, would not be enough to match the A's four goals in the third. The final frame would be a bit more entertaining for the fans when the captains- Alex Gajic for Burnaby and Matt Wilson for the A's- had an exchange in the Coquitlam end after Gajic slashed Joel Weber hard enough to knock off his gloves. Both captains would grab each others masks and exchange a few choice words. At the end of it all, both were given 10 minute misconducts for their action and the game continued.

After the fight Burnaby lost their momentum and let Coquitlam take over the game; they had opportunities to take over possession and would lose the ball mid-floor to give Coquitlam another opportunity to attack.

Final score was 8-5 for the visiting Adanacs. It turned out to be a low shooting game; the Lakers put 35 shots on Joel Weber and the A's putting 41 on Tom Wray. The low shooting game did have a plus side to it; most of the shots on net for both teams were worth it, nicely set up, and carried out with purpose.

I was impressed at Coquitlam's discipline throughout the whole game. After the first I expected the play to get a little chippy but the A's did well to stay out of the box, only getting three penalties the whole game. Although the Lakers didn't score on those three man-advantage opportunities, they did put in two impressive short handed goals.

All in all, an entertaining sixty minutes of lacrosse and a possible preview of the BCJALL finals; a good way to end off a Sunday night.