The Vernon Sun Valley Source for Sports Tigers clinched first place and the Kamloops Venom claimed second spot in the Thompson Okanagan Junior Lacrosse League Sunday.
The Tigers took advantage of a short-handed Kelowna squad to club the Raiders 13-4 at Kal Tire Place, while the Venom used a second-period outburst to tame the visiting Armstrong Shamrocks 17-7.
The Tigers (12-2-1) close out their regular season tonight at home against the Venom (11-4). Game time is 7:30 at Kal Tire Place.
The Raiders – who came to Vernon with eight runners and a goalie – scored on their first two shots to take a 2-0 lead before the Tigers woke up and scored the next six for a 6-2 lead after the opening period.
Both teams agreed to play running time (no clock stoppages) for the final two periods.
Vernon stretched the margin to 11-3 after 40 minutes.
Jordan Orr led the Tigers with three goals and three assists.
Brett Olsen had 3+2, Jordy Barr, Quintin Harrish and Thomas Landels each scored twice and Chris Inscho added a single to support goalie Darnell Hauka, who finished with 27 saves.
Vernon fired 52 shots at Raiders goalie Nick Pilato.
In Kamloops, the Venom stretched a 5-3 first-period lead against Armstrong to 12-5 with seven goals in the middle frame.
Sam Hanley led the Shamrocks with four goals, Marlon Forrest added two and Cam Watson had the other.
Goalie Francois Leroux faced 68 shots.
The Shamrocks (1-13-1) can still clinch a playoff spot with a win Thursday in Kelowna against the Raiders (2-12-1).
A victory would give Armstrong the season series over the Raiders and a date with Vernon in the opening-round, best-of-five semifinals starting Tuesday, July 5 in Vernon.
If Kelowna wins or ties, they’ll clinch fourth place and will meet the Tigers.
The Venom will have home floor against the South Okanagan Flames (10-5-1) in the other semifinal.
South Okanagan has been forced again to move its home playoff games to Oliver due to no available floor time at any of Penticton’s four arenas.
