Reinforcements are coming, but the embattled Maple Ridge Burrards are getting off to a slow start this WLA season.
Key players have been missing, still with their National Lacrosse League teams in the playoffs. The under-manned Burrards were blown out 13-6 by the Victoria Shamrocks on Sunday at Cam Neely Arena. Victoria’s trio of Corey Small, Cory Conway and Scott Ranger each had six points.
Mike Mallory was the top Burrard scorer with two goals and two assists, and Andrew Murphy had the Gordie Howe Hat Trick with a goal, an assist (two) and a fight.
Frank Scigliano was in net for his first game of the summer season, and allowed 13 goals on 44 shots.
“We didn’t have our best game on the back end, and the offence turned the ball over,” said coach Chris Gill.
“We made a lot of mistakes that ended up in the back of our net. It’s all fixable.”
The 0-2 team awaits the return of NLL rookie of the year Ben MacIntosh (see story page 18), and forwards Jarrett Davis and Riley Loewen – the two top scorers on the team last season.
The Burrards are on a road trip this weekend, and will play both Island teams – Victoria on Friday night at the Q Center, and Nanaimo on Sunday. They won’t have a full lineup Friday.
“It’ll be a tough game, but you’ve got to battle through it,” said Gill.
Their next home game will be on Tuesday, June 9 at 7:45 p.m. when they host the Langley Thunder.
