It isn't every day that a coach would be happy with a fourth-place finish.
But that's how Burnaby Lakers midget coach Tony Spagnuolo felt after his team's 6-5 loss to Coquitlam in the B.C. Lacrosse A1 provincial bronze medal final last Sunday.
"Every one of the kids played the game of their lives. It was a fantastic end to a good season," said Spagnuolo.
Burnaby went into the championship rounds at the midget provincials as the top seed after fashioning a 4-1 record through the four-day round robin.
The Lakers opened with a 10-2 loss against Port Coquitlam, but rallied with four straight wins, including a 7-6 victory over Coquitlam and convincing triumphs over eventual champion Ridge Meadows and runner-up Saanich.
In the win over Coquitlam, provincial all-star Matthew Shannik scored on a penalty shot with 13 seconds left to play to complete a third-period comeback for the Lakers.
That win turned the fortunes of the midget Laker around, said Spagnuolo.
Goalie Jeremy Lasher, who had a super tournament for the Lakers, was named the game star in an 8-4 win over Saanich that followed.
Later in the semifinals, Burnaby dropped a 9-8 nailbiter to the Vancouver Island club.
"You got to bring it every game. Both games we played pretty competitive teams, but in our age group going back to the (Jack) Crosby there has never been a real favourite," Spagnuolo said.
The Burnaby midgets, the last city team to win the Tier 1 championship at the Crosby novice allstar tourney, also claimed a provincial A1 banner at the bantam level two seasons ago.
Michael Brletic, Anthony Quatrano, Aidan Milburn and Danny Spagnuolo shared the bulk of the scoring with Shannik, while Robert Spagnuolo contributed on faceoffs.
Andrew Warren was outstanding on the Burnaby defence, and Garrett Bramall and Braedan Jensen also had strong twoway games.
Cory Tuddenham also played well.
But with all but two first-year players suiting up for their last minor league match, Spagnuolo had nothing but praise for the team he has coached since novice.
"I'm not at all upset. It was just a fantastic effort," Spagnuolo said. "We're at the end of a pretty successful group."
