After a pair of weekend wins, the Maple Ridge Burrards are 2-1 on the season, and have served notice that they will be torching defences in the Western Lacrosse Association.
The guy keying the offence is no less a persona than Superman.
That’s the nickname Curtis Dickson has been handed for his heroics at lacrosse’s pro ranks – with the National Lacrosse League’s Calgary Roughnecks. He got that handle for the way he dives across the front of opposing nets shooting while in flight. Sometimes he follows up such a goal with a celebration that sees him pull open an imaginary jacket across his chest, like Clark Kent revealing his “S” on his costume.
Dickson had 10 points in a 14-12 overtime win against the Adanacs on Saturday in Coquitlam, and followed that up with nine points in a home game Sunday – a 13-9 win over the New Westminster Salmonbellies.
“Ten points – there’s not too many guys in our league who can do that,” said a smiling Burrards president Lance Andre.
He said the Adanacs tried to double team Dickson, but that only opened up his talented teammates to make plays.
“He was moving the ball, and he’s a dominant force,” said Andre.
“Goaltending this weekend has been phenomenal. And our big guys, who we need to play, are playing,” said Andre.
Captain Jarrett Davis and Joel Dalgardno both had seven-point games on Saturday, and rookie Mike Mallory continues to impress with two goals and two assists. Other scorers were Brandon Bertoia and Andrew Murphy with two.
Sunday
The two-win weekend has the Burrards gaining confidence.
“It was awesome. That’s the way we know we can play,” said Dickson. “It’s scary to think that not all of our players are here yet.”
He said the offence is executing, and goaltender Chris Levis “made all the saves he had to.”
Asked about his offensive outburst, Dickson, was quick to downplay it.
“It’s not all about points,” he said.
However, after being third in the NLL with 42 goals the season past, with 62 points, he came into this WLA season with some expectations to live up to.
And, he’s pretty sure 10 points is a first in his box lacrosse career.
“It obviously feels pretty good.”
And, he said playing with guys like Davis, Mallory and Dalgarno makes it easier.
“Everyone’s scoring, and everyone’s chipping in.”
Dalgarno had two goals and four assists on Sunday, Murphy two goals and three assists, J. Davis a goal and four assists, Bertoia scored twice and Gastaldo got one.
The Ridge power play went five for eight on the night.
With 12 goals and 11 assists for 23 points in three games, Dickson leads the league.
Levis has been the busiest goaltender in the WLA, leading the circuit with 112 saves through three games.
The defence has looked good in spots. With the score 10-8 the Salmonbellies had a chance to cut into the lead on the power play, but the Burrards killed it, and then a minute later scored to go up 11-8. The Salmonbellies were trailing 12-9 with about two and a half minutes left when they pulled their goaltender for an extra attacker, but they couldn’t score.
The Burrards are in Burnaby this Friday, to take on the 0-2 Lakers.
Sunday the Victoria Shamrocks will try to pull on Superman’s cape
The Burrards have the league’s top scorer, but the reigning WLA scoring champion in Scott Ranger. The five-time all-star finished the year with 92 points last year, and 95 in 2011. He is also a teammate of Dickson’s with the Roughnecks.
Setting Ranger up is elite playmaker Cory Conway, who also plays with the NLL Edmonton Rush. Ranger and Conway each have 18 points, tied for second in league scoring behind Dickson.
Sunday sets up like a game that will offer a football score. “That’ll be a good test,” nods Andre.
