Another off period cost the Burnaby Lakers a badly needed win in the B.C. Junior Lacrosse League last weekend.
The junior A Lakers managed to keep within striking distance of the Victoria Shamrocks before a six-goal letdown led to a 14-7 loss at Bear Mountain Arena last Saturday.
In a game where Burnaby was outshot 5737, Laker keeper Xander McDonald earned his keep and more, making 43 saves to keep his team in the contest.
The Lakers held a 4-3 advantage after the first period on two late goals 30 seconds apart by Justin Appels and Brenden Shea with little more than a minute to play.
Burnaby took a 5-3 lead on Shea's hat-trick marker two minutes into the middle frame. But Victoria countered with five straight scores before the Lakers clawed back a three-goal deficit with two of their own in the final minute of the period.
Trenton Matsuzaki and call-up Danny Spagnuolo's second of the game at 19: 25 of the second period left Burnaby trailing 8-7 heading into the third.
But Victoria goalie Cody Hagedorn closed the door on any chance of a Burnaby upset in the final period.
Hagedorn kicked out all 10 Laker shots for the win.
Shea led all players with six points, while Burnaby team captain Peyton Lupul collected four points, all assists.
Appels, who currently leads the Lakers with 21 points, had a goal and three helpers in a losing cause.
Burnaby's next game is in Port Coquitlam today (on Friday). Game time is 8 p.m.
The Lakers next home game is on June 2 at the Bill Copeland Sports Centre against the Victoria Shamrocks. Faceoff is scheduled for 5 p.m.
