The Burnaby Lakers completed the Western Lacrosse Association’s regular season with a split on their Island tour – and a question as to where they stand.
By losing to the Victoria Shamrocks 9-7 and beating the Nanaimo Timbermen 10-9, the Lakers now await another team’s result before knowing who they’ll play in the best-of-seven semifinals, which are slated to start next week.
If Friday’s loss in Victoria proves to be a rehearsal for a potential first-round match up, fans can expect to get their money’s worth.
Burnaby led for a good portion of time in the provincial capital, going ahead 6-5 midway through the second period on Eli McLaughlin’s tally.
But the defending league and Mann Cup champions stormed back, scoring four straight goals to hand the Lakers their seventh loss of the season.
Dane Stevens scored twice and Josh Byrne posted a three-point game, while goalie Tyler Richards was heroic in kicking out 45 shots.
A day later in Nanaimo, Jason Jones scored four times as the Lakers wrapped up the regular season with a 10-7-1 record, tying them with Maple Ridge for third place. Tyler Digby netted a pair of goals and set up two others, while Ilija Gajic, Peter McFeteridge, McLaughlin and Stevens added singles. Finishing with four assists was Jackson Decker.
Burnaby's hold on third place is tenuous, as the Burrards close out the season tonight (Wednesday) in Langley.
Maple Ridge can leapfrog past Burnaby for third place with a win or a tie. Victoria, meanwhile has two games to clinch first place in its race with New Westminster. Whether Burnaby draws Victoria or New West as a first-round opponent, the series will begin Aug. 9.
