Grizzlies hand Shooting Eagles first loss of season

Drew Kask drives the net during the Grizzlies' 15-11 win over the Shooting Eagles in week 3 Arena Lacrosse League West Division action on November 26 at Langley Events Centre. Gary Ahuja photo

One game after scoring a record 29 goals, the Grizzlies picked up right where they left off, popping in goals on their first two shots as part of a seven-goal opening quarter.

And that early success paid off as the Grizzlies defeated the Shooting Eagles 15-11, evening both teams’ records at 2-1, on Sunday afternoon at Langley Events Centre.

Trailing 7-2 after that first quarter, the Shooting Eagles clawed their way back to tie the score at 10 early in the third. But the Grizzlies would recover and potted five of the final six goals to secure a second-straight victory.

“We jumped out, got an early start and I think that was what won us the game” said Grizzlies coach Justin Doucette.

“We are not going to get 29 goals every game … the reality is we need to keep competing every shift on O, develop some plays and get each other open. (Coach) Daren (Fridge) is doing a good job getting the offence organized.”

The team was led by multi-goal performances from Aidan Baker (3-3), Drew Kask (4-1), Andrew Joseph (3-2), Sekawnee Baker (2-2) and Connor Whyte (2-0). Will Carriere provided the other goal.

In net, Kyle Mooney stopped 17 of 26 shots but after the Shooting Eagles scored three quick goals to start the second half, Doucette made a goaltending change to Ryder Bremner.

“Kyle wasn’t getting a lot of help, a lot of power plays against us. We made the move to shake up the team, and that is what helped us out. Ryder came in and did a great job,” Doucette said of Bremner, who finished up with 19 saves on 21 shots – a .905 save percentage – over the final 27:27.

Bremner earned the third star for his efforts while Aidan Baker was star No. 2. The Shooting Eagles’ Spencer Bromley earned first star honours following his five-goal, eight-point performance.

Coady Adamson (2-2) and Mark Yingling (2-1) both scored twice with Dylan Lacroix (1-1) and Brandon Fitzgerald chipping in a goal apiece. Garrett Winter finished with four helpers. Thomas Ungaro made three saves on seven shots before giving way to Brody Harris who stopped 48 of 59 shots as the Eagles were outshot 66-47 over the course of the game.

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