There is good news and bad news for the senior A Burnaby Lakers.
The Lakers held on to third place in the Western Lacrosse Association but teams are closing in on the final four playoff spots following an 11-9 loss to the New Westminster Salmonbellies at home on Friday.
New West was coming off a rather listless 9-6 loss to the Coquitlam Adanacs a day earlier at Queen’s Park, but looked the fresher of the two teams in a contest that closely resembled a 10-8 loss to the Salmonbellies just the week before.
In both games, Burnaby fell behind early and never quite caught up to a New West team that has been struggling all season to find its rhythm.
“I don’t know what happened. We took a lot of penalties. It’s no excuse, but we have to look in the mirror and see how we can play better, myself included,” said Burnaby’s third star Dane Stevens.
Burnaby, who continues to struggle at home with a 2-4-0 record, fell behind 4-1 midway through the first period and although the Lakers rallied on goals by Casey Jackson and Stevens later in the period, the momentum failed to carry forward into the middle frame.
New West took advantage on the power play, including a quick pair on a costly double-minor to start the second period.
Burnaby got back to within a goal after they got a turn with a two-man advantage.
But in the end, Burnaby’s offence was too inefficient, and the Lakers’ back end appeared to have too many holes.
Alexis Buque stopped 44 shots to post the win in the New West Cage. Tyler Richards had a so-so night at the other end of the floor.
The loss on Friday gave the 4-8 New Westminster club the season series against the Lakers.
“That’s the tough part,” added Stevens, who led the team with three goals and three assists, “but we’re a strong group. … The saying goes the team that works the hardest wins and right now we’re not working hard. We have to come out more prepared mentally and physically we have to hustle.”
Jackson, Scott Jones and Tyler Digby both collected a goal and three assists for the Lakers.
Cliff Smith led all scorers with three goals in an eight-point outing. Keegan Bal had a game-high four counters.
Burnaby is in Langley this Wednesday, before returning home to host runaway leader Victoria at the Bill Copeland Sports Centre on Friday. Game time is 7 p.m.
