Lakers need to keep the momentum going

Keep Building on the Momentum

 

The outcome of Tuesday's game with the Coquitlam Adanacs could well determine the ultimate success of the Burnaby Lakers' season.

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="400"] Defence has been the cornerstone of Burnaby's success this season. Garrett James photo[/caption]

While a victory over the A's would decide a spot for the Lakers in the Western Lacrosse Association post season, it would also go a long way in re-branding the senior A club as the team many at the beginning of the season thought it could become.

Burnaby's talented front court is finally producing big numbers from both sides of the floor.

The Lakers' candidate for league MVP, Robert Church, has collected 16 points in Burnaby's past three-game win streak, including 10 goals, boosting the talented right hander to second in overall league scoring with 27 markers.

Lefty Eli McLaughlin is 14 points over that same winning span, including a hat trick in a six-point effort in the victory over Nanaimo two weeks ago.

Scott Jones is having his best season in recent years, collecting 12 points and a pair of goals in each of Burnaby's current wins.

Dane Stevens is also being steadily productive, while Jason Jones was the difference in Burnaby's win over Langley and rookie Josh Byrne had the game-winner in a five-point night in the recent win over Victoria at home.

Burnaby is rounding into form despite the absences of the likes of NLL pros Tyler Digby, Jesse Fehr and Chris O'Dougherty during the current streak.

Zac Boychuk has been holding the fort admirably in the Burnaby cage and now stands first overall among WLA goalies with eight wins, a 6.78 goals against average and a 0.848 save percentage.

Transition pair Justin Salt and Jackson Decker are having inspired seasons at the back end as well. Salt is currently seventh in team scoring with 15 points, while Decker is eighth with seven individual tallies.

A healthy Ilija Gajic and Peter McFetridge should both also add further worries for upcoming Laker opposition.

The renewed attitude in the Laker locker room was evident in last Friday's win over the visiting 'Rocks.

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="400"] Zac Boychuk currently leads the WLA in all goalie categories this season. Garrett James photo[/caption]

“The boys wanted to win. They were pretty fired up to get out there,” said Byrne after the game. “There was lots of movement and sharing the ball and, as a group, we're really hard to stop.”

The Lakers must continue to be difficult to handle in their final three outings, particularly their upcoming match-ups with the A's and the season finale in Nanaimo.

Must-win victories in both those games should ensure Burnaby of a third-place finish.

Burnaby finishes up the season on the road this weekend, beginning Friday in Victoria and the following Saturday in the Hub City against the Timbermen.

The Burnaby Lakers wish to thank you for supporting the boys in Green and hope to see you in their playoff run.