And then there were two.
The B.C. Junior A Lacrosse League playoff final is a match-up of familiar foes, with New West and defending Minto Cup champion Coquitlam squaring off in a best-of-seven showdown.
The junior A championship series was on the junior ’Bellies’ radar for nearly a year, and now coach Todd Stockdale says preparation is the main focus for Game 1, which goes Friday, 7:30 p.m. at the Poirier Sports Centre in Coquitlam.
“We match up really well, and I feel our team has really grown over the season looking towards this,” said Stockdale. “We really have a mature group, led by our third-year veterans and second-year (returnees).”
New West has had to wait the past nine days, having dispensed of PoCo on July 18. Coquitlam completed its sweep of Victoria last Saturday.
In head-to-head play, the ’Bellies pushed the regular season champions to the limit but were unable to beat them, falling 9-7, 9-8 and 11-9.
Overcoming that hurdle – perhaps a portion of it a mental block, although the Adanacs’ impressive 20-1-0 record (40-1-0 including last year) reflects their dominance – will take a lot of hard work. But it isn't impossible, noted the coach.
“Every game with them was very close, including an overtime loss,” remarked Stockdale. “With (Coquitlam), it isn’t just one guy you focus on. ... They are extremely well balanced.”
New West offers up its own list of imposing players, including two-time scoring champion Connor Robinson, who won the current title with a 33-point margin over the next top scorer.
"What more can you say about (Robinson); he's just been one of the best players in the league the past two years."
Carter Dickson and Charlie Kurtenbach provide offensive support, while imports Nick Chaykowski, Larson Sundown and Brine Rice have become major contributors. Everyone has taken that next step, said Stockdale.
"You look at our offence, defence and netminding and we are right there (with Coquitlam)," he said. "Kratz has taken what he learned last year and taken it to that next level. ... On defence, they've taken it up another notch. Taylor (Jensen) has grown into his role on the backline, while Drew Belgrave, (Emmott) Donahoe and (Jordan) McKenzie have all been incredibly important. I could go up and down the lineup and everyone's really contributed."
The best-of-seven game series continues July 31 at Queen’s Park; Game 3 is slated for Aug. 2 in Coquitlam. Game 4 goes Aug. 4 in New West, with additional games going on Aug. 7, 9 and 11, if necessary. All games start at 7:30 p.m.
