The adage goes, “good things come to those who wait.”
For the senior A Burnaby Lakers, it means having to watch the rest of the Western Lacrosse Association for nearly two weeks before finally feeling the planks beneath their feet.
“I’m really impressed with our practices now, we’re getting ready to start the season,” said Lakers head coach Rory McDade.
That start will come on May 29 at Queen’s Park Arena against the New Westminster Salmonbellies, now entering their 125th year.
Burnaby’s home opener will come a day later at the Bill Copeland Sports Centre when they host the Nanaimo Timbermen.
What has players and supporters itching to get started is the anticipation felt from last season, when Burnaby finished in third place with a 10-8-0 record, but was swept in the playoffs by Victoria.
With some key acquisitions, including the recent addition of Chris O’Dougherty from Nanaimo and goalie Tyler Richards and Ilija and Alex Gajic from New West in the off season, the Lakers feel they have filled the few remaining holes in an otherwise talented and young lineup.
“The transition has been working pretty smoothly,” McDade added. “We have a good mix of older guys now. It’s about us making that next step.
With three quality netminders in Richards, Dan Lewis and veteran backup Joe Bell Jr., Burnaby has all ground covered in goal.
O’Dougherty will likely see part-time service this season in a back line that has gotten bigger and better with Matt Beers and much improved Scott Rouse ready to make things difficult for opposition snipers.
Chris Manwaring will also be back in Laker green after a season off, giving Burnaby’s already strong transition game another quality piece.
Up front, Ilija Gajic will join team scoring leader Dane Stevens on the left side. Stevens is coming off a banner season with 81 points, including a season second-best 55 assists last year.
The already talented right side with the likes of Scott Jones, Jackson Decker and Robert Church, to name a few, should only be strengthened with the addition of Alex Gajic.
“This is definitely the strongest roster we’ve had,” said McDade. “My expectations are to win the west and go from there. Anything less would be a failure in my eyes.”
With just three back-to-back matches on the schedule this season, and a four-game stretch in June to contend with, Burnaby is anxious to get things started in earnest.
McDade said there are still some tough calls to come and further moves could be made before the Lakers take their opening faceoff.
“All the guys on the team are disappointed about not making the finals (last season). They’ll have something to prove here,” McDade said.
