What’s up Blazer Nation? I can’t believe it’s almost July already. That’s a small-talk line if you ever need one. You can’t always say “July” though – you substitute it for whatever the next month is. Give it a try next time you see a person and they do that eye contact thing where it seems like they’re waiting for you to speak.

Also, WE THE NORTH! RAPTORS WIN! RAPTORS WIN! RAPTORS WIN! Onions, baby. In all honesty, how cool is it that the Raptors pulled it off. Very very cool.

OK – back to VSLL lacrosse action. If you were at Archie Browning last week watching the Best Dressed Team in BC hit the floor, you saw them get absolutely blindsided by a stacked Super Jokers squad. The Super Jokers were clicking offensively, with tons of talented depth not only picking the Blazers apart, but also completely outworking them.

Luckily for the Blazers, who were trailing 7-2 at the end of the second period, star defenders Jarred Robinson and Tory Spiteri managed to get up the floor and gain a little momentum offensively with 2 big goals. That was followed up with an insane Cody Boon performance, where Boon potted 4 goals himself in the third period. The good guys also gained possession and called their last time-out with 18 seconds left, but were unable to steal a win with the last scoring chances of the game. When all was said and done, the Blazers and Super Jokers settled for an 8-8 tie before a wildly entertained Esquimalt crowd of somewhere just below 500 people out at Archie Browning Sports Centre.

Once again, Blazers celebrity fan Jonathan Frakes was in the building, visiting Esquimalt on vacation from Calabasas, California. Frakes served as presenter of a TV series with mixed reviews from 1998-2002, called ‘Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction?.’ If you don’t know him from that show, you’re probably most likely to know Frakes as the voice of David Xanatos in the animated Disney television series ‘Gargoyles’ though. He worked as a voice actor on that series from 1994-1996.

“OK – I saw you quote me last week,” said Frakes, on his way out of the arena. “My intro was focused only on Gargoyles? Seriously. I was Commander Riker on Star Trek The Next Generation.” Frakes added, in reference to some sort of space project he claims to have also been involved with. “You’re doing this on purpose. It’s dumb. Stop.”

The 2019 VSLL Playoffs kick off tomorrow night, where the Blazers will get another shot at the significantly upgraded Super Jokers, a squad formed by a merger of the Jokers and Tugmen. The Super Jokers are the #4 seed going into playoff action, but after big wins against the #2 Cowichan Rats and a tie against the #1 Blazers, they’re definitely worthy of everyone’s respect. Faceoff is at 7:30 at Archie Browning Sports Centre in Esquimalt. Admission is free, so come check it out!

Also, we’d love it if you considered “going green” on your way to the rink – which is easily accessible via a major bus route, bicycle lanes, or bring some friends and carpool!

Love and gratitude to Bin 4 Burger Lounge! Bin 4 is the official burger joint of Blazer Nation, offering the classic gastronomic icon, the hamburger, with a gourmet touch. You can find Bin 4 locations in the Greater Victoria Area. Also, try their spots in Vancouver and Kelowna! Yum. bin4burgerlounge.com

Big thanks to SVN Fuel Supplements for giving the good guys the strength and energy to succeed on the lacrosse floor. With shops in Victoria, Nanaimo, the Lower Mainland, and across BC, it’s easy to get the supplements you need with Fuel. You can find their products (and coupons!) here: svnfuel.com

Shout out to TJS Drywall, the official drywaller of the Dudes With Good Attitudes™. Got a drywall job? Reach out to TJS Drywall! Call them at (250) 507-1580.

Respect to Rave & Son Plumbing, the official plumber of the Friendly Neighbourhood Victoria Blazers™. Need a plumber? Contact Rave & Son Plumbing! Call them at (250) 588-3169.

Lastly, thanks to Bro Brick, who creates a range of exclusive, manly scented soaps, and a new line of Chick Bricks! Each Bro Brick is handmade using canola, palm, coconut and sunflower oil. These classy Edmonton-based guys also donate soap to homeless shelters. Check them out! thebrobrick.com

Wanna sponsor us? Your brand/products/services could be featured here! Contact us for details! victoriablazers@gmail.com

For more information about the Blazers, check us out at the links below:

Instagram: @victoriablazers

Facebook: @victoriablazers

Twitter: @victoriablazers

Blazers website: victoriaseniorlacrosseleague.com/view/vsll/teams/victoria-blazers-1 

Photo courtesy of local photographer Kasey Eriksen. Thanks Kasey! You can find more of her work here: kaseysphotos.com. 

#lacrosse #yyj #victoriabc #saanich #esquimalt #songhees #langford #colwood #vancouverisland #duncan #cowichan #growthegame #creatorsgame #dudeswithgoodattitudes