Jeffrey shines in goal as Shooting Eagles thump Grizzlies

Colin Jeffrey made 55 saves on 60 shots as the Shooting Eagles defeated the Grizzlies 14-5 in Arena Lacrosse League West Division action at Langley Events Centre on Dec. 17. Ryan Molag photo

Colin Jeffrey finished with 55 saves – including all 34 second-half shots he faced – as the Shooting Eagles clamped down defensively in a 14-5 victory over the Grizzlies.

The Grizzlies had led 3-2 after a period but the Eagles outscored their opponent 7-2 over the next 15 minutes and never looked back in winning for a third consecutive game on Sunday at Langley Events Centre. They continue to lead the Arena Lacrosse League West Division with a 5-1 record while the Grizzlies record fell to 2-4.

“They kept them to the outside, making my job easy, soaking shots. That’s all I can really ask for,” Jeffrey said. “Just a good team effort.”

Jeffrey – who posted a .917 save percentage – was the game’s second star with teammate Spencer Bromley earning first star honours with three goals and one assist. 

“We just talked about the basics and sticking with our game plan. Our defence and goaltending just played amazing in the second half. Colin was incredible,” said Shooting Eagles coach Justin Digby. “And our offence continued to swing the ball and get shots. Even when they weren’t scoring, they didn’t get frustrated, they just continued to work for it.”

While Bromley led the way with his hat trick, Coady Adamson scored twice and was one of five players with three points as Dylan Lacroix, Garret Winter, Dylan McIntosh and Zack Herreweyers each had a goal and two helpers. Mark Yingling, Logan Cote and Declan Fitzpatrick chipped in with one goal and assist apiece and Jake Young and Jacob Dowell both scored once. 

The Grizzlies’ Connor Whyte (1-3) was the third star after earning points on four of his team’s five goals. Sekawnee Baker had two goals and three points and Dylan McCormick and Ben Musso potted a goal each. Kyle Mooney made 42 saves on 56 shots.

The Grizzlies led 2-0 less than five minutes into the game but were outscored 14-3 the rest of the way. 

The team did not help its cause as they committed too many mental errors – getting beat in transition and not talking on defence – as well as a failure to adjust how the game was being officiated, admitted coach Daren Fridge.

“We took a lot of stupid penalties. When you are trying to get momentum back, that is not the way to do it,” he said.

One positive the coaching staff did take away was that they managed 60 shots on goal.

Up next: The teams return to action on January 7 with the Sea Spray (3-3) facing the Grizzlies (2-4) at 1:00pm while the Shooting Eagles (5-1) square off against the Black Fish (2-4) at 4:00pm

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