Shooting Eagles continued their winning ways scoring a last-minute victory over the Grizzlies, while the Sea Spray ended a three-game win streak for the Black Fish in week nine action for the Arena Lacrosse League West Division.
Both games were played on Sunday (Jan. 21) at Langley Events Centre.
Sea Spray 11 Black Fish 8
A seven-goal third quarter combined with a 47-save performance from Lee Jackman helped the Sea Spray return to the win column.
Trailing 3-2 at the half, the Sea Spray seized control with a 7-1 run as they defeated the Black Fish 11-8 on Sunday afternoon at Langley Events Centre.
The victory gives the Sea Spray sole control of second place in the Arena Lacrosse League West Division with a 5-4 record, while the Black Fish sit in third at 4-5.
“The first half was really hectic; (we were) yelling at refs, getting out of our game,” explained Sea Spray coach Ian Paterson. “But once we slowed it down and just played, it was a completely different half.”
“We moved the ball better and our goaltender was amazing. Lee played great. We got the ball up the floor and got it into the hands of our offence,” Paterson said.
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Shooting Eagles 17 Grizzlies 15
With the game in the final minute and the score tied, Rhys Blake had a decision to make. Known more for helping prevent goals than for scoring them himself, the Shooting Eagles defender found himself in front of the opposition’s net but surrounded by Grizzlies defenders.
“In the video, you will probably see me think for a millisecond on whether I should take that shot or pull it out and pass it to one of the O guys,” he explained. “But I felt like I had a good opportunity. I threw it behind the back, and it went in luckily.”
The goal snapped a tie game and 19 seconds later, Dylan McIntosh scored his fourth of the game to seal a 17-15 win for the Shooting Eagles over the Grizzlies.
The win makes it two straight for the defending champions who hold a two-game lead for top spot with six games remaining in the regular season. Dating back to last year when the Shooting Eagles were 10-4 (not including playoffs), they have won 14 of their past 16 regular season games.
Up next: Week 10 sees the Grizzlies (2-7) play the Sea Spray (5-4) at 1 p.m. while the Black Fish (4-5) face the Shooting Eagles (7-2) at 4 p.m. at Langley Events Centre on Sunday, Jan. 28.
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