The Burnaby Lakers made a strong move towards securing a playoff spot in the Western Lacrosse Association last week.
The senior A Lakers won back-to-back matchups, including a comeback 10-8 victory over the Adanacs in Coquitlam on Saturday, to move into third place on the WLA leaderboard.
First star Dane Stevens had arguably his best outing this season, scoring three times, including a pair in Burnaby’s third-period comeback, to finish with a game-high eight points.
Jason Jones, who garnered the game-winner with his hat-trick marker midway through the final frame, was also named a game star, with a five-point night.
“The boys had a lot of time to refocus and it showed tonight,” said Stevens, who had points in Burnaby’s first five goals. “Everyone was really focused to get back into it. (The win) is huge.”
The victory kept Burnaby ahead of Langley in the overall standings and a game in hand over the Thunder who hold the season-series edge over the Lakers. Coquitlam, which also lost 9-7 to New Westminster earlier in the week, remained two points back of Langley with 12 points.
“Everyone is committed to how we’re trying to play,” Stevens added.
Burnaby came out in the opening period in Coquitlam and showed a much more creative offence, taking a 4-1 lead at one point.
But the Adanacs, who have played the role of upstart in a number of games this season, outscored the visitors 5-2 in the middle period to lead by one goal heading into the final 20 minutes.
Robert Church started the Lakers’ rally with a screened shot from the right side. Stevens then tied the contest 8-8 with a sizzler that burned A’s goalie Dan Lewis to the inside post.
Tye Belanger, who got whistled for a five-minute penalty following an illegal equipment check late in the game, made 31 saves for his league-best seventh win of the season. Belanger also currently leads the league with a 7.26 goals against average.
At home on Friday, Burnaby sent the lowly Timbermen back to Nanaimo with their third straight loss, following a 10-3 win at the Bill Copeland Sports Centre of Friday.
Jamie Lincoln scored five times to earn the game’s first star. Belanger was on his game, finishing up with a .917 save percentage.
“We want to be moving the ball and be real crisp,” added Stevens, “catch guys out of position, keep our feet moving and hitting hard picks.”
All that will come in handy when Burnaby travels to the Island next week for two-game series against Victoria on Friday and Nanaimo on Saturday.
“We have a big game coming up and we’re looking to bring this momentum to the Island,” Stevens said.
