Islanders Upset Adanac’s In Double O/T

Heading into game three was anyone’s game and given the record held by Coquitlam, some were placing any bets on them pulling off the 2016 BC Junior A Lacrosse League Championship.

Delta on the other hand had nothing to lose as they had earned a birth into the Minto Cup Championship beginning August 20^th played at the Langley Event’s Centre.

Entering the playoffs Delta’s season record was 15-6-0 for 30 points, sporting 460 PIM’s while Coquitlam’s was a perfect 21-0 on 251 PIM’s.

Delta eliminated New West in a six game series while Coquitlam knocked off Port Coquitlam Saints in a four game series.

Game three of the final series would either get down to discipline and/or goaltending or both and both points had been heavily discussed by both coaching staff’s.

Coquitlam’s Del Bianco was recently signed by the Calgary Roughnecks in the NLL, while Delta’s Kevin Orleman was acquired prior to the trade deadline from Ontario.

Head Coach for Delta Greg Rennie knew he was in tough as he was squaring off against Pat Coyle who had a stellar career with the Detroit Turbos, the Ontario Raiders, the Toronto Rock and the Colorado Mammoth.

He was also named the overall defensive Player of the Year in 2002, winning five NLL Championships, four of which were with Toronto Rock and one with the Colorado Mammoth.

So you can call it what you want, goaltending, coaching, defensive play or simply put playing a strong disciplined game – all of which make up a winning team.

Delta took the first game in Coquitlam winning by a 9-6 margin, while the return game played August 7^th at Delta’s Sungod Arena saw Coquitlam return the favour winning by a 11-10 O/T win scoring in the first O/T period.

The three game series saw Delta score 30 goals while Coquitlam managed only 27, but no one can put the blame on either goaltender, but rather disorganized play at times in both ends of the floor.

The game started off tentative, but the Adanac’s got the first goal at 13:05 of the first keeping Delta off the board until the 6:37 mark.

From there both teams traded goals with both taking a 1-1 tie to the dressing room after one period.

The second saw Delta score three goals, one short handed, one on the power play and one even strength, while Coquitlam grabbed the next four, three being even strength and one on the PP with the second ending having Coquitlam up by a 6-5 score.

Coquitlam again scored first to start the third off jumping out to a two goal lead and this would be the largest goal differential throughout the game between both clubs.

The Adanac’s took a 9-7 lead with 5:11 remaining in the third but simply could not hold on and preserve the win.

Delta fought back and got the eighth goal at 4:48 off the stick of Aidan Milburn followed by the tying goal from Jon Phillips with 1:03 left in the game.

Delta was given the ball with 10 seconds remaining, but were unable to counter and put home the final and winning goal to capture the title – at least not yet!

Entering O/T which was a full 10 minute period both teams traded goals then headed to the dressing room to come out fully re-charged.

Re-charged is what Delta was and was an understatement from the jump with Hamer-Jackson winning yet another draw getting a shot on net 9 seconds into the second O/T, only to be denied by Del Bianco.

With the team being charged by the many fans in attendance making it over the Alex Fraser Bridge, it was Jenson who played hero after taking a long stretch pass from Captain Hofmann to capture the first Championship for a Delta team in the history of the BCJALL.

Stats for the night saw Orleman played a total of 79.27 minutes allowing 10 goals against facing 62 shots for a SV% of 0.839.

His counter part at the other net Del Bianco played 78.51 minutes allowing 11 goals against on 63 shots having a SV% of 0.825.

Talk about goaltending, what a night to be a Delta Islanders fan and if this is what the future holds for the Islanders organization, I’m proud to be a part of it.

The fans erupted, the team was ecstatic and the Adanac’s were overcome with emotion by being defeated by the Delta Islanders.

The game and the series was exceptional and with both clubs heading into the Minto Cup we are going to be entertained to some exciting lacrosse.

Simply put – WOW what a season for the home town boy’s from Delta.

Congratulation on the win and proving it’s never over till it’s over!!

Make plans and join the Delta Islanders August 12th at the Sundance Pub Atrium room for Junior A/Intermediate A beer and burger fundraiser along with a silent auction and info on the Minto Cup!!