The North Okanagan Butcher Boys Legends stopped West Kootenay 7-2 Sunday to finish third in their home Pee Wee lacrosse tournament at Nor-Val Centre.
It was a hard-hitting affair with the Legends winning most of the physical battles and getting two goals each from captain and game MVP James Francis and Seth Waterstreet. Kayden Beauregard, Tanner Franje-Gilbert and call-up Easton Hunter added singles.
Butcher Boys, coached by Rich Zecchel, opened the tournament by ambushing West Kootenay 11-3.
Waterstreet, Francis, and game MVP Thomas Mackiewich each scored twice with singles going to Reece Hawthorne, Franje-Gilbert, Beauregard, Luc Halvorson. Solid defence was turned in by Josh Melbourne and Macey Drabiuk, while Tyler Langtry was stellar in net.
Game 2 on Saturday saw the Legends slam the Prince George Posse 13-3 with Beauregard scoring just 22 seconds in for his first of two goals.
Waterstreet and Hawthorne each turned hat tricks, while Francis and Franje-Gilbert each scored twice. Playing solid on the crease were Kael Black, Erik Urquhart and the White twins – Isaac and Samuel.
The Legends then bowed 9-2 to eventual tournament winning New Westminster. Both Butcher Boys goals were supplied by Hawthorne (game MVP). Playing solid all over the floor were Rhys Larsen, Hunter, Melbourne and Mackiewich.
The #2 Legends, coached by Casey Sherriff, went 1-3 in the tournament but still qualified for the zone playdowns this weekend in Summerland.
The Legends finished play Sunday by storming the Prince George Posse 7-1 for fifth place.
“The boys seemed to be refreshed and they came out flying and finally found their offence,” said Sherriff.
Miles Wolhford pulled the hat trick, while Dakota Campen added a pair. Strong defensive play was turned in by Tanner Wright, Jacob Brewer, Tristan Baker, Sorcha Pasco and Carter Hittinger.
The Legends opened by falling 7-3 to Kamloops despite a masterful effort by goalie Troy Cuzzetto, who faced more rubber than a Kal Tire employee.
The Legends then bowed 2-0 to West Kootenay with superb defensive games by Dalen Kenney and Cameron Work.
The Legends ended the round-robin by losing a 4-3 thriller to Prince George. North Okanagan applied their usual first-period offence with pressure from the likes of Kaden Doughty, Wohlford and Campen.
North Okanagan held a 3-1 lead with 10 minutes left until the Posse stormed back to tie it and get the winner with 15 seconds left.
