The Vernon Source For Sports Tigers were looking to run the table at the B.C. Junior B Lacrosse Championships at Copeland Arena in Burnaby.
Vernon lost their opener 21-16 to the Island champion Saanich Tigers Friday night. Vernon faced the West Coast champion Delta Islanders Saturday afternoon and face the host Burnaby Lakers this morning to complete preliminary action. The final goes tonight with the winner qualifying for the western Founders Cup, Aug. 19-25, in Winnipeg. Burnaby and Delta tied 8-8 Friday night.
The Tigers struggled early and played much of the first 40 minutes shorthanded, trailing Saanich 4-1 and 11-5 by periods.
13-3 “They had 10 powerplays and scored eight powerplay goals in the first two periods,” said Vernon coach Myles Brumpton. “Some of them (penalties) were for sure legit, but some weren’t. I got a bench minor for politely questioning one of the calls.
“We had no legs, but we woke up in the third, scored 10 goals and played our brand of lacrosse. We can play with anybody here. We win our next two games and we’re in.”
Captain Ethan Garland supplied 5+5, while Cody Short added 3+2 for Saanich.
Daryl Landels pocketed 4+1 to earn a lawn chair as Vernon MVP. Nolan Frame also scored four times, while Ryan Sarazin earned 2+3 and singles came from Craig Bigsby, Mason Limb, Sean Conners, Brett Hanna, Jordan Orr and Liam Drabiuk.
Joel Fruncillo was relieved late in the game by Aaron Jensen in the Tigers’ net.
Bannister Honda and Bannister GM gave the boys TOJLL championship hats, while the team got a generous donation from PMO Global Services and Belinda and Bob Harrish. Sun Valley Sports supplied T-shirts and shorts for the players.
