The NHL’s Canucks disappoint fans, the CFL’s Lions are slow out of the gate, and the BCJALL’s Adanacs and Salmonbellies meet in the BC Finals – 3 things that are becoming synonymous with summer on the west coast. The A’s are one win away from sweeping the Victoria Shamrocks and meeting the ‘Bellies in the BCJALL Finals for the third consecutive season after the ‘Bellies won their tight series last night in Delta, 3 games to 1. With the A’s as defending BC champs two years running and the ‘Bellies once again the underdog, will Year 3 be enough for New West to pull off the upset? It will take an epic effort for any team to dethrone the Adanacs. The defending Minto Cup champs are still picking up the steam they gained after a 21-0 regular season _ they’re outscoring Victoria 33-6 through 2 playoff games and look to complete the sweep at home on Saturday.
The A’s beat the ‘Bellies in 6 games in 2009, and in 5 games in 2010 but this year’s ‘Bellies want to disrupt history and with a different style team than the one on the floor in ‘09 and ‘10, 2011 may be their best chance yet.
For the first time in 3 seasons New West might be heading to the finals with better goaltending. Frankie Scigliano has been the best goalie in BC all season long and is up for Goaltender Of The Year here at Insider. Scigliano led the league with an 84.65% save percentage and a goals-against average under 6. He was even rewarded with some playing time up with the big club, playing a game with the WLA ‘Bellies this season. A massive tender at 290 lbs, Scigliano is mobile for his size and has a great stick – he scored a goal against Burnaby this season! And his playoff numbers are even better. Through 4 games he has an 85.71% save percentage. The crash and bang d-core in front of Frankie is arguably tops in BC as well, allowing just 133 goals against this season.
Reid Mydske, at 6-3, 200 pounds, is taking after his older brother Brett Mydske of Edmonton Rush, Langley Thunder and Team Canada fame. Reid is a big assignment, stay and home guy who has cracked a few slash guards this season. Add Buffalo Bandit rookie Travis Irving into the mix and this is a d-core that can intimidate and dare players to try cutting through the middle. If head coach Dan Perrault can contain his defense and keep Coquitlam off of the power play where they scored 71 goals this year they could stand a chance. Coach Perrault is still looking for some sweet revenge against the team that let him go after a 20-1 record, a BC title and Minto Cup appearance just 2 seasons ago.
The ‘Bellies also have the highest number of graduating players in BC with 13 players that were on this team when they lost to Coquitlam in 2009 and 2010. With the pride that the town of New Westminster instills into to their lacrosse players, these guys do not want to look back on their junior careers as losing to the A’s three years in a row.
The BC finals featuring the purple and gold and the red and blue will likely start next Wednesday in Coquitlam.
Plus Insider’s Picks for BC Year End Awards
BC’s Governors and GMs should release their list of BC’s award winners later this week, but with Stamp stamping down his MSL picks this week, we wanted to do the same out west.
Most Valuable Player
Travis Cornwall, Coquitlam
Since week one of the regular season the three headed beast in Coquitlam, Wesley Berg, Marty Dinsdale and Travis Cornwall dominated the scoring charts and every opponent in BC. Berg had the goals, the numbers, the accolades. Dinsdale, the underrated, quiet, stoic leader. But it was Cornwall who stood out amongst the rest as the best player and the most pro-ready player in BC. A prime example of what 5 years in Junior A can do for individual growth. Cornwall played in every situation at both ends of the floor and still managed to finish third in the league with 106 points.
Best Defensive Player
Jeff Cornwall, Coquitlam
The fastest feet in BC didn’t spend a lot of time across centre this season, (0 shots on goal) for a guy who had about a breakaway a game in 2010 but he didn’t need to this year. Cornwall has grown into one of the top shut-down assignment guys in the league. He’s learned that you can make a career out of patrolling the back end and that it’s a compliment when guys don’t want to be within a stick length of you.
Best Goaltender
Frankie Sciglianio, New Westminster
The most WLA ready goalie in BC. The numbers don’t lie, 84.65% save percentage and a 5.90 goals against average. Plus a goal.
Top Rookie
Ryley Brown, Langley
The aged up goaltender for the Langley Thunder was one of the key factors in their best season since 2005. Maybe single handedly winning them a couple of their tighter games. Now with some playoff experience, Brown will be the backbone for the future success of the Thunder.
Outstanding Acheivement
Logan Schuss, Delta
This BC unique award goes to a player who truly does something remarkable in the BCJALL. Last year it was Mark Matthews with his 66 points in just 10 games, arriving late to the Adanac’s season on a new team in a new province. This year Delta’s Logan Schuss put up 60 points in 9 games for the same pts/game total of 6.6 after returning from Ohio State. Schuss bolstered the Islander’s offence enough so that they finished with a franchise best 3rd overall. He’s also the leading scorer in the post season with 31 points in 6 games.
Challoner is in his second summer contributing to Inside Lacrosse. A prominent voice of lacrosse in BC, he calls the WLA Game of the Week on www.theboxrocks.com. Email him at bcjall@hotmail.com and follow on Twitter @bradchall
