Jim Milligan didn’t classify them as ‘heartbreaking,’ but last week’s back-to-back losses served as ‘learning experiences’ that the Burnaby Lakers hope to use down the homestretch.
The Western Lacrosse Association club saw two leads evaporate and ended up falling 13-12 to the New Westminster Salmonbellies in overtime and 9-7 to the Maple
Ridge Burrards, delivering a serious blow to any first-place ambitions.
Although just four points back of league-leading Victoria – who the Lakers face twice in the coming week – and tied with New West for third overall at 8-5-1, Burnaby has to put the lesson into practice first.
“It’s nothing to be greatly concerned about, but we just didn’t know how to finish them off,” said Milligan, the Lakers’ first-year head coach. “If we are matched up against either (Maple Ridge or New West) in the playoffs I’m confident we can beat them.”
Last Friday’s loss to the Burrards in Burnaby was a stinger, considering the host Lakers rolled out to a 5-0 lead before the first period expired and were up 6-2 with 20 minutes left.
The defending WLA champion Burrards, however, charged out in the third period, counting the game’s final four goals to exit with a 9-7 victory.
“We had the game in the bag, basically, but let up and they caught us sleeping,” remarked Milligan. “If anything, it is a good lesson to learn before the playoffs.”
A day earlier, Burnaby saw its four-game winning streak halted when New West forced overtime with 12 seconds left in the third. In the extra session, the host
’Bellies got quick strikes from Mitch Jones and Anthony Malcom just 38 seconds into the extra 10-minute period, and held on for the decision.
The Lakers had a two-goal lead with eight minutes remaining but again were unable to hold their ground.
“It was a good gameplan, we rallied and took the lead and then some unfortunate circumstances took over,” recalled the coach. “Both games we wanted to win and played to win. After winning four straight we were humbled a bit and reminded that we’ve got to earn it with 60 hard minutes.”
Over the two games, Robert Church continued his red-hot ways with a total of seven goals and two helpers, while Scott Jones scored five times. Eli McLaughlin chipped in two goals and four assists in the New West game, while both netminders – Zak Boychuk and Eric Penney – each started and turned back 43 and 47 shots, respectively.
“Churchie’s been putting the ball in the net, which is what he does,” said Milligan. “(Justin Salt) has done a great job on defence and is one of the best in transition, but we’ve been getting a lot of great efforts.”
The team has welcomed Iliya Gajic back, and the veteran has contributed a goal and three assists over three games. Sniper Josh Byrne, who is also playing in the pro Major Lacrosse League in Chesapeake, will be flying in for three of the Lakers’ final four games to meet the league minumum for playoff eligibility, Milligan said.
Good depth has been a major asset for the club during the stretch run, he noted, as well as the ball-stopping tandem of Boychuk and Penney.
“On any given day, we’re sitting guys who can play in this league,” added Milligan.
Although they sit in third, tied with New West with 17 points each, Burnaby holds a game in hand on the other three playoff-bound clubs. Getting second place – and home floor advantage for the first round at least – remains doable, although the Burrards, on the strength of two wins, holds the tiebreaker.
There will be no better test of the lessons learned than Friday’s contest, when first-place Victoria (10-4-1) pays a visit to the Copeland Sports Complex for a 7 p.m. faceoff.
The two teams also square off July 28 in Victoria, while Burnaby closes out the regular season with games against non-playoff squads Nanaimo and Langley.
