The Blazers started gathering some decent momentum heading into the VILL Playoffs, clinching a #3 seed with some decisive wins over the Jokers and Arrows at the end of the regular season. Their reward for advancing to the #3 seed? Scheduling shenanigans. While the official schedule the Blazers planned around indicated the semifinals would be Thursday in Esquimalt, the league slid the game to a summer weekend Saturday night in Duncan with less than a week of notice and no discussion. Not so great for the dudes, who had 11 players unavailable that night. Sour grapes? Totally. Chuck the grapes in the compost. They're sour as heck.
 

Don't get me wrong, the Cowichan Rats are a tough team. VILL odds makers pegged them as a healthy favourite in the semifinals, even against a fully staffed Blazers squad. But the Blazers, despite missing half their team, gave it their best shot and played a game to be proud of. Unfortunately, they got off to a rough start and just couldn't bounce back. At the end of the first period, the Blazers were looking up at a scoreboard showing a 7-0 Rats lead. The dudes rallied, closing the gap to 7-5, but Cowichan regrouped and begin to rebuild their lead against an exhausted Blazers squad. When the final horn sounded, the Rats were 11-5 winners.
 

With the win, the Rats advance to the VILL championships to face league newcomers and regular season #1 seed Saanich Express. Game 1 of the Best-Of-3 2022 VILL Championships just wrapped up in Duncan (9-8 Rats win), and Game 2 is Thursday back in Esquimalt.
 

There were no celebrities in attendance – it seems tricky getting the A-listers out to Duncan for a surprise game too.

With the loss, the Blazers have concluded their Vancouver Island Lacrosse League season. Huge thanks to Brittani Chiasson and Jenna Krajinovic for help with arena music and photos this year. And huge thanks to Kasey Eriksen for all of her photograpy work too. We really appreciate you all big time. Thanks to VILL treasurer Shirley Bains for all the help managing sponsorship income and expense reimbursements.

Thanks to all of our alumni, who have built the reputation of this club as one that lacrosse players want to play for. Thanks to our current roster for battling so hard to get things back on track after 3 years away from the game, and giving us a real shot at getting back into the VILL championship mix. We were right there fellas. Next year.

While the VILL season has wrapped, stay tuned for some more Blazers lacrosse action this fall/winter. There's interest from squads around North America to make the trip to the lovely Greater Victoria community we call home. The Blazers are planning to host a 2022 Super C Blazers Lacrosse World Series. Details TBD. Until then, enjoy your summer!
 

A big massive hug and kiss and THANK YOU to all of our sponsors, as well. Read about them below. You all help add to the experience for our squad, reduce barriers that may prevent our players from being able to play, and keep us the Best Dressed Team in BC™ . Thank you again.

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Special thanks to Bin 4 Burger Lounge, the official burger joint of Blazer Nation! Serving up gourmet burgers, Bin 4 plates feature international flavours and local ingredients. From their Greek isles-inspired burger to the red-hot spiciness of The Angry Bull, there’s a burger for your palate, and your wallet. Top it off with housemade aioli, side it with artisan salad or house-spiced potato chips, and wash it down with a local libation, from craft beer to cab merlot. Bin 4 burgers are about what goes in, on, beside, and down with them. You can find multiple Bin 4 locations in the Greater Victoria Area, and also check out their spots in Vancouver and Kelowna! Yum. bin4burgerlounge.com

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Huge thanks to HUB International, official insurance provider of the Victoria Blazers! The Blazers love to score goals. HUB advises businesses and individuals on how to reach their goals. When you partner with HUB, you’re at the center of a vast network of risk, insurance, employee benefits, retirement and wealth management specialists that bring clarity to a changing world with tailored solutions and unrelenting advocacy. So you’re ready for tomorrow. Visit HUB's local insurance offices in Victoria, or one of their 8 offices throughout Vancouver Island. You can also find HUB online at hubinternational.com

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Much love to Master Care Janitorial & Facility Services, the official Janitorial & Facility Services provider of the Blazers! Master Care partners offer a combined 60 years of proven experience in the janitorial, office cleaning and building maintenance industries. To request a free quote with no obligations, call Master Care at 250-590-5970, email info@adaxmanagement.com, or check out their website at janitorialservicesvictoria.com.

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Primo Lacrosse is the official lacrosse equipment provider of the Victoria Blazers! Primo utilizes high quality materials, advanced manufacturing techniques, and a direct to consumer business model to bring you the highest quality at the lowest possible price. Today, Primo continues to innovate and raise the bar to bring the best highest tech & quality lacrosse shafts to the market, and they offer the best warranty in the biz! Find them on Instagram at @primolaxcanada for Canadian team sales! Their 'Obsidian' shafts rock. primolacrosse.com

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Family owned and operated, Northern Star Plumbing / Gas / Service is your plumbing and gas specialist serving the Greater Victoria Area! Since 2001, home and business owners across southern Vancouver Island and area have counted on Northern Star for tried-and-true plumbing and gas work at fair prices. Contact Northern Star Plumbing / Gas / Service today! Victoria: 250-883-4347 / Sooke: 250-642-4499 / Email: northernstarplumbing@outlook.com / Web: northernstarplumbing.ca

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Locally owned and operated, Tudor House Liquor Store is the perfect stop for beer, wine, spirits, coolers + ciders in Esquimalt and the official liquor store of the Victoria Blazers. Price match guaranteed, and local delivery available! Find Tudor House Liquor Store right down the street from our home at Archie Browning Arena, at 533 Admirals Road. Drink responsibly. Don't drink and drive.

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Esquimalt Roasting Company is the official coffee provider of the Victoria Blazers! Nestled in the heart of Esquimalt, Esquimalt Roasting Company provides customers with locally roasted coffee excellence. ERC is a small batch, "specialty coffee" roastery that endeavours to provide the freshest coffee available to its valued customers. Find the ERC team on site and hard at work in their new neighbourhood micro roastery. Visit in person for your supply of beans and a taste of what’s in store when their cafe begins operations in Esquimalt’s new Town Square. Free local delivery! esquimaltroasting.com

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Big thanks to The Graphite Group Chartered Professional Accountants for your support! The Graphite Group offers taxation, accounting and business advisory services to meet your needs. The Graphite Group | CPAs graphitegroupcpa.com (250) 472-3211

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Compass Electric specializes in commercial, industrial, multi-unit, and single-family residential electrical systems, and is a one-stop electrical contractor with access to the best suppliers and manufacturers in the industry, and electricians who are up-to-date and in the know of all the latest innovations. compasselectric.net (250) 800-2169

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As an Edward Jones financial advisor, there isn’t a better time than now to guide you with a structured, clear portfolio with a time-focused, attainable, achievable goal. Colt Borthwick invests his time to understand your goals before you invest your money, leveraging the strength of Edward Jones tools to reach your long-term goals. Colt Borthwick, Financial Advisor | Edward Jones (250) 391-1308

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Thank you Kelly Green Lawn & Garden Ltd! Reach out to Kelly Green today for all your lawn and garden needs, whether you're dealing with your residential space, or you need help with commercial or strata properties. They've got you covered! Kelly Green Lawn & Garden Ltd (250) 893-6605

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Moon Under Water Brewery & Pub is inspired by centuries of European brewing tradition and propelled by Canadian passion and creativity. Moon Brewery's beautiful German brewhaus allows them to implement challenging brew methods into their processes from step-mashes to decoctions. Visit the Moon Under Water pub & patio on Wing Wednesday, or for brunch! moonunderwater.ca

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TJS Drywall is the official drywaller of the Victoria Blazers! Reach out to TJS Drywall today for your drywall needs, whether it's a small residential project or large commercial one. TJS serves markets all over South Vancouver Island. TJS Drywall (250) 507-1580

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Horizon Signs is the official sign & decal provider of the Victoria Blazers! A family run business, Horizon Signs provides everything form illuminated storefront signs to vehicle graphics, interior signage and decals. Horizon prides itself on fast, friendly and fair service. Horizon Signs has been locally owned and operated since 2007. Call 250-544-4955 or visit horizonsignsltd.ca

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Thanks a ton for all the support from Brittani Chiasson, Jenna Krajinovic, and Kasey Eriksen for providing arena music and photography services. We appreciate ya big time!