Manitoba vs Saskatchewan Game Recap

The first game of the day opened up with a slew of penalties and plenty of man-up lacrosse for Team Saskatchewan. A pair of simultaneous penalties near the bench area led to a brief session of 4 on 4 before the end of the first period, however, neither team was able to take advantage of the extra space. Saskatchewan’s lengthy time on the man up led to an early 3-1 lead at the conclusion of the first period.

The first thirteen minutes of the second resembled much of the first period with occasional penalties and neither offense being able to find an effective rhythm. The scoring opened up after the thirteen-minute mark as Saskatchewan and Manitoba exchanged goals. However, Saskatchewan regained their three-goal advantage after a quick shot found the back of the net, as the period concluded with Saskatchewan out in front 5-2.

The stockpiling of penalties continued into the third, as Manitoba quickly found themselves man-down for four minutes after a checking from behind penalty, despite the man-advantage, Saskatchewan found themselves in the penalty box shortly thereafter, after a holding call off ball led to two-minutes of four on four action. After the penalties on both sides expired, Saskatchewan quickly found the back of the net to extend their lead to 6-2. As the game came to a close, exhaustion had set in and neither team found any success on the offensive end. Saskatchewan cruised to a 7-2 lead and moved to 1-0 in the tournament, as Manitoba fell to 0-1.

Both teams will be back in action today as Saskatchewan takes on Ontario at 3:00 pm MST and Manitoba takes on British Columbia at 4:30 pm MST.

First Nations vs. British Columbia Game Recap

The second match-up of the day saw a much more skilled and competitive match-up between the First Nation’s Lacrosse Association’s team and the British Columbia Lacrosse Association’s team. Several minutes of back and forth action led to a 1-1 stalemate before a delightful breakaway goal by Ritchie Albert pushed First Nations ahead. Occasional penalties clouded the second half of the first period but the efficient and effective transition and settled offensive possessions had both teams exchanging goals until the period's conclusion, where both teams had four goals each.

BC’s even set offense continued to find lanes to the middle of the floor throughout the second period, particularly on the on-ball side, as all five defenders pressed out offering little help to the inside. This allowed BC to take and maintain a lead throughout the the period, as their defense tightened up allowing low percentage shots from the First nation’s team. BC would add consecutive goals to end the period and enter the third up 7-4.

The beginning of the third saw both teams have several man-up opportunities. Starting with a BC man-advantage that culminated in a pretty goal from Thomas Vela, his fourth of the game. First Nation’s had several chances after the goal by Vela to close the scoring gap, including two five on four and two four on three opportunities. Despite the advantage, BC’s stout man-down defense and goaltending held back a myriad of potential scoring opportunities. As the game winded down, the penalties continued to accumulate on both sides as BC’s lead held constant. British Columbia would move on to win the game 8-4 and move to 1-0 in the tournament as First Nations fell to 0-1.

British Columbia will play tonight at 4:30 against Manitoba, while First Nation’s will play in the primetime slot at 6:00 pm against Alberta.

Nova Scotia vs Alberta Game Recap

Nova Scotia’s opening game of the tournament came against a desperate Alberta team looking to get their first win in the tournament after tough opening night loss to Ontario. The first period resembled much of their first outing, albeit at a much slower pace against the Nova Scotia team. Nova Scotia’s tightly packed defense forced the Albertans to shoot from the outside early and often, while only allowing two goals from Moon in the first period. Nova Scotia would add a goal of their own and exit the period trailing 2-1.

Penalties forced Nova Scotia to play several minutes of man-down defense to start the second period, Alberta was able to establish themselves in the middle of the floor, as Mattias Flammenspeck was able to score on the extra-man opportunity. Alberta would add to their lead with an additional breakaway goal to push their lead to 4-1. The second period saw Alberta separate from the Nova Scotia team as they continued to score on even-strength, fast-break, and extra-man opportunities. At the end of the second, Alberta found themselves ahead 8-1.

The final period saw limited action, as Alberta scored twice early in the period to extend their lead to 10-1. Nova Scotia would score two late goals, but they were insufficient to close the lead and Alberta would move to 1-1 in the tournament with a 10-3 win.

Alberta will take on First Nations tonight at 6:00 pm MST, while Nova Scotia will take on Saskatchewan tomorrow at 10:30 am MST.

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BY DALLAS SMITH

Alberta Lacrosse Association