Editor’s Note: The BCJALL, or British Columbia Jr. A Lacrosse League, and LaxAllStars have teamed up to bring you the hottest content from one of the most competitive box lacrosse leagues in the world. Jr. A box lacrosse in BC is a big deal, with many rising stars playing in the league.
For the rest of the season, Matt Bailey of the Burnaby Lakers will be serving as the main eyes and ears for Mark during the season, since Matt has got the first hand look. We’ve always been “for players, by players” so it’s a perfect fit!
In Canada, the summer is box season, so let’s talk Jr. A Box Lacrosse in British Columbia!
Photo Credit: Paul Sparrow
Box Lacrosse in British Columbia – Big Picture
Box lacrosse is quite a bit different from how we play lax here in the States. One example is that the Canadians follow the club system when it comes to box lacrosse, and an athlete could conceivably play for the same “team”, or club, most of his life. Another example is that in the BCJALL, fighting has been limited but isn’t extinct from the game. The players are issues a few warnings before the league takes further action, as opposed to being ejected and sitting out a few games as many of us are accustomed to.
Then we get to the Minto Cup, which is widely known as one of the hardest trophies to take home in the game of lacrosse. Players are only eligible to play junior lacrosse in Canada until they are 21 and in that time not only do you have to win your specific league (BCJALL or OJALL ), you must beat the other league’s top team as well.
Don’t let the term “junior” deter you, it is just an age bracket. To compare, the skill level makes it essentially like the NCAA of box lacrosse. Player treatment is where it varies, the athletes are treated like professionals, having rights, drafts, the ability to be traded, as well as holding actual monetary value unlike college athletes.
Now that you know a little more about the set up, let’s look in at the BCJALL for 2014, which is currently just about halfway through the regular season.
Game of the Week
Coquitlam @ Delta
Saturday, June 7th 7:30pm
In addition to both teams looking to clinch a playoff spot as we approach the midway mark of the 2014 BCJALL season, this game has more than just two points at stake.
With Delta being 7 points ahead of the two Island teams currently tied for fourth place, the final playoff spot, it looks as though Delta will be in the company of Coquitlam and New Westminster come this year’s postseason. After dropping one game to Victoria in their last six, Delta is looking to continue their winning ways after a slower than anticipated start against a strong Coquitlam team who after suffering their first loss of the season to New West, has been able to come out of two close games with wins against Nanaimo and Langley.
Predicted Winner: Delta
With both teams having a high powered offense, a solid back end and goalies capable of stealing a game it is likely this game will go down to the wire.
With Coquitlam having the highest number of PIM’s and Delta with the most PPG’s, it is likely Delta’s extremely efficient power play will give them the edge needed to knock off the #1 seed in the BCJALL Saturday.
Week 6 Recap
Burnaby 11 @ Langley 11 – First year goalie Aiden Yorke was called into action early in the first to help slow Langley’s offense led by captain James Rahe and Dustin Doudelet with 5 points apiece. Burnaby’s Tyler Kirkby and captain Peyton Lupul finished with 6 points each.
Delta 10 @ POCO 9 – Delta came out strong in the second period scoring 6 goals after falling behind 4-2 after the first. Delta won nearly 70% of the faceoffs in the game and 13 players registered points to help them squeak out the W against POCO.
Coquitlam 8 @ Nanaimo 5 OT – Nanaimo’s goaltender Peter Dubenski stood on his head registering a 90% save percentage in 3 periods of play to keep Nanaimo in the game but it was not enough as Coquitlam was able to capitalize 3 times in the overtime to beat Nanaimo at home.
Burnaby 6 @ Delta 11 – Delta’s league leading powerplay was able to score 5 times against the Lakers shorthanded unit as the Islander’s Eli McLaughlin, Chase Fraser, and Cody Nass recorded 8, 7, and 6 points respectively.
Nanaimo 12 @ Langley 14 – The Timbermen outscored the Thunder 11-7 in the second and third periods but it was not enough to make up for the 7-1 lead they spotted Langley in the first. Langley’s James Rahe led all scorers with 8 points.
Victoria 13 @ New West 16 – Luke Gillespie led the ‘Bellies with 7 points as the beat Victoria to remain tied for first place in the standings with Coquitlam. New West outshot the Shamrocks 71-39.
POCO 12 @ Burnaby 6 – The Lakers offense was held to 6 goals for the second straight game and their defense was unable to stop Saint’s offense who were led by Connor Goodwin and Tanner Fisher registering 6 and 5 points respectively.
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