The Royal City Capitals came so close to pulling off an upset in West Coast senior B lacrosse playoffs.
The Capitals staged a late third-period rally but fell one goal short, losing 11-10 to the Ladner Pioneers in final game of their best-of-five semifinal series at the Ladner Leisure Centre on July 23.
Trailing 10-7 midway through the third period, Royal City scored three goals in a three-minute span, including a back-to-back pair from lefthander Mark Negrin and the game-tying counter on an unassisted goal from regular season scoring champion Leif Mydske with less than five minutes left in the game.
The win gave Ladner the series’ victory 3-2 and a date with regular-season champion Nanaimo Timbermen, beginning Wednesday at the Frank Crane Arena.
The Pioneers held the advantage throughout the series, winning Games 1 and 3 at home, 12-9 and 8-5, respectively.
But the Caps responded on both occasions tying the series up at home, including an 8-5 win at Queen’s Park last Wednesday that set up Thursday’s deciding game.
Mydske led all scorers with a five-point night, including four goals, in Game 4. Jordan Catton was the Royal City’s defensive star with a pair of goals. Goalie Neil Tyacke made 41 saves in the win.
In the deciding game, Mydske again led the way with four goals and a single assist, while Catton was named the offensive star with two goals and two helpers. Tyacke stopped 34 Pioneer shots on goal.
Ryan Keith got the series-winning counter for Ladner on the power play with 35 seconds left in the game.
Mydske and Negrin led the regular season scoring parade with 84 and 75 points, respectively, including a league-best 46 goals for Mydske.
Mike Berekoff of Ladner leads all playoff scorers with 18 points, both Mydske, with a playoff-best 11 goals, and Negrin were one point back with 17 playoff points apiece.
