Warriors Dominate Riptide 16-10

Photo Credit Vancouver Warriors

With hockey coming to a close many are setting their sights on various other activities or sports such as baseball, lacrosse, swimming or even lawn bowling or pickle ball if that strikes your fancy.

Locally the Vancouver Warriors have their sights set on making moves up in the standings in hopes of securing a playoff berth.

There is no question that the pressure is clearly on GM and Head Coach Curt Malawsky who are currently the hottest team in the NLL.

Curt came in after time well spent in Calgary with the Roughnecks who joined the Roughnecks ahead of the 2008 season but played in his final two seasons prior to announcing his retirement in 2009.

He won 90 games and ironically is only the eighth Head Coach to reach 90 wins in regular season which says a lot about about what he brings to the game

Jumping over to the Warriors there was no doubt that they were obviously committed and dedicated to making Vancouver a “hotbed” for lacrosse in the area considering the following the sport has in the lower mainland.

Given that Curt was put in place it will be interesting to see how many local players they can manage to bring home to play for the Warriors?

The Warriors currently have five wins and are sitting eleventh with a record of 7 wins, 9 losses managing 177 GF and 185 against facing the RipTide who are eight and eight scoring 186 goals giving up 202.

It is interesting to note that the Head Coach of the Riptide is Dan Ladouceur who also played for the Toronto Rock and was their D-Coordinator for five years and ironically when he’s not behind the bench he’s a Sergeant for the Toronto Police Service.

Keeping up with the tradition they have welcomed the New West Minor Lacrosse Association for the pre game ceremonies as they have done all season which shows pure class.

Let’s not forget that they were 2-8 with their overall record but given the direction that they were aiming for they have managed to win five of their next six  and now 7-9 winning four consecutive games.

Heading into what could be their last home game of the season now controlling their own destiny coming off back to back wins over New York and San Diego.

When it comes down to metrics in LaxMetricks.com it’s noted that they have allowed 11.4 goals in their first 10 games and have allowed them to increase to 11.8 in the six game streak.

If you ask many they might tell you that their recent success comes off the stick of Keegan Bal given his productive season he has had and it’s led by example which he is doing.

While many were focused on the game the night was a tribute for fan appreciation due to the support they have given the team through some of their troubled times at the start of the season.

In conversation with some at the half they mentioned “you can’t count them out just yet cause they seemed focused to simply wish themselves into the playoffs.”

The RipTide opened the scoring early in the contest at 3:21 only to have the Warriors grab a pair from Crowley and McCulley holding the lead with 9:14 left in the first.

Say what you will both clubs traded goals and after one quarter they were tied at three in a period that saw the Warriors steal a pair of minors to the one for New York.

The battle continued in the second that saw the Warriors give up the first pair only to grab five unanswered allowing the visitors to get a last second goal that saw the Warriors up 8-6 at the half.

THis is the time when the fans get involved on the turf where they have various contests but on this night someone turned down the lights making it hard for the contestants to grab the ball let alone score. Oh well what can you say?

The third saw the Warriors start where they left off getting their first a short 35 seconds in holding a 9-6 lead with their second going to video due to the discrepancy between the officials.

After a lengthy review it was determined that there was a crease violation ruling no goal but after a couple of penalties Keegan Bal grabbed his third of he game making it double digits.

Following an impressive wrap-around desperation dive they got their 11rh of the game in addition to finishing the third outshooting NY by a 36-22 margin starting the forth on a PP.

One might think that they were marching to the theme of “May The Fourth Be With You” as this was the quarter that they not only pressed but did the most damage in a play that could be labeled as the “Wrap Around.”

Late in the game the Warriors challenged a goal from the RipTide noting that an attacking player was in the crease prior to the ball going in which was upheld only to have them get another which was reviewed as per the rule with under two minutes remaining.

The call was confirmed  and saw them pull the goalie in hopes of doing some damage only to be  denied, setting up the Warriors 16th of the game.

Regardless of being the last regular season home game they played like a team possessed and not only controlled all areas of the floor but gave the fans what they came for – A WIN!!

The Warriors announced the team awards throughout the game and to no real surprise they are as follows: 

• Ryan Dilks – Defenceman of the Year and Teammate of the Year 
• Owen Grant – Rookie of the Year 
• Riley Loewen – Unsung Hero
• Keegan Bal and Ryan Dilks shared Team MVP