The junior A Burnaby Lakers played its last game like a microcosm of the B.C. Junior Lacrosse League season.
Already eliminated from the post season owing to a 9-9 draw between Delta and Langley last Thursday, Burnaby put a determined effort forward but eventually fell 15-11 in overtime to the Victoria Shamrocks on Sunday.
Playing mostly catchup in their final regular season contest, third-year runner Jaxson Lee gave the Lakers a hope of a win, sending the game into overtime with a comeback game-tying goal at 18:29 of the third period.
But extra time proved fruitless for the Lakers as Victoria tallied four unanswered goals to return home in fourth place overall.
First-year Burnaby head coach John Wilson summed up the season as "disappointing."
"We were in a lot of games but we just found ways to self destruct," Wilson said, vowing commitment will be a big ticket item on next season's squad. "We haven't been able to put our stamp on (the team) yet," Wilson added.
Bryan Gillis led Burnaby with four goals, including a second-period hat trick. Lee, who played his final junior A game on Sunday, led all Lakers with a six-point night afternoon.
When the final whistle blew, it was Lee who was the last to leave the floor.
"I grew up in Burnaby my whole life, watching the juniors play. I dreamed about playing on this team my whole life. It's just an honour, but it's tough to leave," said an emotional Lee after the game.
Lee lingered at centre floor looking down at the large Laker logo on the new hardwood floor and then took a long look up to the rafters where Burnaby's five Minto Cup banners were hanging. "It's a huge emotion," Lee added. "It's hard to see it go, that's all."
