Grizzlies and Black Fish were both victorious in week 3 action for the Arena Lacrosse League West Division at Langley Events Centre on Sunday, Nov. 26.
Grizzlies 15 Shooting Eagles 11
One game after scoring a record 29 goals, the Grizzlies picked up right where they left off, popping in goals on their first two shots as part of a seven-goal opening quarter.
And that early success paid off as the Grizzlies defeated the Shooting Eagles 15-11, evening both teams’ records at 2-1.
Trailing 7-2 after that first quarter, the Shooting Eagles clawed their way back to tie the score at 10 early in the third. But the Grizzlies would recover and potted five of the final six goals to secure a second-straight victory.
“We jumped out, got an early start and I think that was what won us the game” said Grizzlies coach Justin Doucette.
In net, Kyle Mooney stopped 17 of 26 shots but after the Shooting Eagles scored three quick goals to start the second half, Doucette made a goaltending change to Ryder Bremner.
READ ALSO: Arena Lacrosse begins third season at Langley Events Centre
“Kyle wasn’t getting a lot of help, a lot of power plays against us. We made the move to shake up the team, and that is what helped us out. Ryder came in and did a great job,” Doucette said of Bremner
Black Fish 12 Sea Spray 11
Limited to three goals in the first half – despite firing 33 shots on goal – the message was simple from Rod Jensen.
“We are playing well, we are getting opportunities, we just have to keep shooting,” the Black Fish coach said of the messaging to his team.
And his team responded with nine goals – including four of the final five in the fourth quarter – to earn a 12-11 win over the Sea Spray.
“We just stuck with it and persevered and snuck one out in the end there,” Jensen said.
Sunday’s contest saw the season debut of Brandon Humphrey – the two-time ALL West Division Most Outstanding Goaltender.
With Humphrey keeping the score close, that gave the Black Fish the time they needed as they significantly outshot their opponent (62-39), cutting the lead to 9-8 after a quarter and then closing the game on a 4-1 run for the victory.
READ ALSO: Resilient Shooting Eagles capture ALL West championship
Up next: Week 4 of the ALL West Division sees the Black Fish face the Eagles (2-1) at 1 p.m. while the Sea Spray and Grizzlies (2-1) play the second contest at 4 p.m. Both games are at the Fieldhouse at Langley Events Centre on Sunday, Dec. 3.
