Eagles offence overcomes slow start

Shooting Eagles' Brody Harris comes up with a first-period save during his team's 12-9 win over the Sea Spray in Arena Lacrosse League West Division action at Langley Events Centre. Gary Ahuja photo

The first game of the season can always be challenging.

Teams are attempting to re-familiarize themselves with one another after long off-seasons – and not always too many pre-season practices – as well as incorporate new bodies into the line-up.

So having just one goal and six shots on goal may not have been ideal, but it was not completely surprising for the Shooting Eagles, who found themselves down 2-1 to the Sea Spray in the season opener for both squads in the Arena Lacrosse League West Division on Thursday night at Langley Events Centre.

Trailing by just a goal can largely be attributed to goaltender Brody Harris as he made 17 saves on 19 first-quarter shots, while his teammates found their game. The score was tied at 3-3 heading into the locker room at half-time before both teams broke out in the third with the Shooting Eagles erupting for six goals and a 9-7 lead on their way to the 12-9 win.

“Little bit of rust in the beginning; some dropped passes and the execution just wasn’t there to start with,” explained Shooting Eagles coach Adam Smith. “(But) the defence was able to create some turnovers was nice. And Brody stood on his head: that is a major reason why we emerged victorious.”

He also attributed better ball movement after the opening quarter for more chances and ultimately, more goals. Declan Fitzpatrick led the victors with two goals and six points, earning first star honours. Lucas Parsons-Quintiao (2-1), Keegan Kozack and Garret Winter also had two-goal games in the win with Jake Young (1-1), Brandon Fitzgerald and Doug Porter completing the scoring.

For the Sea Spray, rookie Trevayne Hunter led his team with a hat trick and five points while Ty Fisher finished with four assists. Thomas Semple (2-2) and James Rahe (1-2) also had multi-point games with Nathan Ma, Clay Miller and Seamus Bankier chipping on a goal apiece. Lee Jackman had 45 saves on 56 shots for the Sea Spray.

Hunter and Parsons-Quintiao were the second and third stars, respectively.

The teams are both back in action on November 17 with the Grizzlies facing the Shooting Eagles at 1:00pm and the Black Fish taking on the Sea Spray at 4:00pm.