Bakers lead way in dominant Grizzlies victory

Will Carriere (#26) and Ben Musso (#10) celebrate a goal during the Grizzlies' dominant 29-12 win over the Black Fish on Nov. 14 at Langley Events Centre in Arena Lacrosse League West Division action. Gary Ahuja photo

In 13 games last season, Aidan Baker tallied respectable numbers: three goals and 10 points. But on Tuesday night – pressed into a more offensive role with his Grizzlies team missing some forwards – Baker delivered with five goals and 11 points in a dominant 29-12 win over the Black Fish.

It was part of a record-setting night for the Grizzlies as the 29 goals marked a new high for the Arena Lacrosse League West Division, bettering the previous mark of 23 goals.

“Our team was a little bit low on the lefty-side there. Just grateful for the opportunity to get up there and play with the offence. Just play the game and don’t force anything and good things came my way. I am very grateful and blessed,” Baker remarked of his performance.

The teams were playing on Tuesday night at Langley Events Centre, kicking off week 2 of the ALL West Division. Both teams were coming off one-goal defeats in their opening matches.

“The boys started hot. We knew what we had to do, coming off a loss; we wanted to bounce back into the ‘W’ column,” Baker added.

His five goals and 11 points were matched by Sekawnee Baker while Ben Musso had four goals and six points. They were the game’s three stars, in that order.

Brian Smith (4-3), Drew Kask (3-2), Will Carriere (2-2), Cody Garrison (2-0), Jack Margetson (1-1), Jaden Laberge (1-1), Dylan Doucette (1-0), Joe Callard (1-0) rounded out the Grizzlies attack.

Brayden Wandler made 38 saves on 50 shots for the victory and Nathan Bell was dominant on face-offs, winning 31 of the 39 draws he took.

The Black Fish scored the first goal before the Grizzlies rattled off seven straight, leading 8-2 after 15 minutes and 17-5 at the half. The Black Fish did get the deficit down to 10 goals, but by the end of the period, it was 23-11 with the Grizzlies then scoring six of the final seven goals.

The Grizzlies' eight first-quarter goals equaled the eight shots on goal registered by the Black Fish.

Four Black Fish players – Jordan Roberts (2-1), Laszlo Henning (2-1), Temeke7 Gottfriedson (2-0) and Josh Mills (2-0) scoring twice apiece. Ethan M’Lot and Ryan Jones both had a goal and four points with Xander Cabeca chipping in a goal. Keegan Okino made 32 saves on 57 shots and Jesse Mercer stopped eight of the 12 shots he faced.

Both teams are now off until November 26.

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