The Burnaby Lakers fought the good fight, but were overwhelmed by the Victoria Shamrocks 11-6 under a 66-shot barrage in Western Lacrosse Association play Friday.
Burnaby took a 6-5 lead into the third period following a pair of late goals by Dane Stevens less than 30 seconds apart to end the middle frame.
"We were just unfortunate," said Burnaby head coach Bob Johnston.
Playing with four players from its back end missing through injury, Burnaby simply ran out of gas, added Johnston.
"The feeling was pretty good. It was quiet confidence. It was nice to see."
But Victoria replied with six unanswered tallies in the final stanza, including an empty-net goal by Andrew Suitor in the last three minutes of play.
Rookie Burnaby goalie Dan Lewis was Burnaby's game star with 55 saves in the Burnaby net, while facing 48 shots in the final two periods, including 27 in a 5-4 Lakers' second period.
"Lewis was worth the price of admission. He had a great game," Johnston added.
Matt Quinton led the Lakers in scoring with one goal and two assists, all coming in the middle frame.
The win dropped Burnaby into sixth place in league standings with two games left to play this week.
"If you win, you're in. That's the name of the game. It's pretty tough for sure. We have to score, Lewis can only do so much," Johnston said.
Burnaby will cross 10th Avenue for a rematch with the New Westminster Salmonbellies at Queen's Park Arena on Thursday.
On Friday, the Lakers are at home against the Maple Ridge Burrards. Both games are 7: 45 p.m. starts.
TWO OVERTIME WINNERS
Kevin Olson of Burnaby scored two goals in overtime to give the Coquitlam Adanacs a 10-9 win over the visiting Nanaimo Timbermen on Saturday.
Olson led the A's with four goals and was named the game's first star.
The 29-year-old Olson, who has scored 11 times in just five games since being dealt to the Adanacs from Burnaby at the trade WLA deadline, scored both markers within 20 seconds of each other in the opening two minutes of extra time to keep Coquitlam's slim playoff hopes alive.
