Nine-point game, OT winner as Kirkby makes season debut

Tyler Kirkby scored the overtime winner to go along with eight assists as the Sea Spray won 10-9 in overtime over the Grizzlies in Arena Lacrosse League West action at Langley Events Centre on March 16. Gary Ahuja photo

It was like he never left.

Playing his first game of the season, Tyler Kirkby – the reigning Arena Lacrosse League West Most Valuable Player and Top Offensive Player – scored the overtime winner to go along with his eight assists as the Sea Spray held off the Grizzlies 10-9.

The teams were playing on Sunday afternoon at Langley Events Centre with the Sea Spray improving to 5-7 while the Grizzlies saw their three-game win streak come to an end as their record slipped to 4-8.

Kirkby also holds the ALL record for single season points with 116 but Sunday was his first game as he recuperated from an injury that bothered him when he was with the San Diego Seals at their preseason camp ahead of the National Lacrosse League season. Wanting to give himself time to fully heal ahead of this summer’s Western Lacrosse Association season – plus with newborn daughter at home – Kirkby made the decision to take some time away from the ALL.

But with the playoffs approaching—and needing to play a minimum of three games to be eligible – the Sea Spray approached Kirkby about rejoining the club. And Sunday’s season debut showed that he hadn’t missed a step in his months-long absence from the game.

“Everything was clicking right from the get-go. It felt like I never left,” Kirkby said. “Everybody was getting open: it was like last year where I could find them.”

The Sea Spray led for almost the entirety of the game, leading by as many as four goals in the first half with the Grizzlies battling back to tie the score at 7 after three quarters and then taking a brief 9-8 lead with 3:44 to play. James Rahe’s fifth of the game tied the score 40 seconds later, setting the stage for overtime.

Each team had their chances in sudden-death with the Grizzlies firing six shots on goal – thanks to an early power-play chance – before the Sea Spray were then given a man-advantage opportunity with Kirkby firing home the winner.

Kirkby admitted that after the fast offensive start, the Sea Spray did slow down as the game progressed, something the team can remedy as they build chemistry over the final two regular season games.

While Kirkby led the way with his nine points, Rahe finished with five goals and six points, Thomas Semple scored twice and set up one, and Thomas Jeck (1-3) and Trevayne Hunter (1-2) each had a goal. Marc Rippberger finished with 48 saves on 57 shots. Rahe leads the ALL West with 34 goals and is tied for second with 54 points.

Dennon Armstrong was the leading scorer for the Grizzlies with two goals and five points while Toru Morimatsu had a hat trick and Erik Forsselius chipped in with a pair. Thomas Moffat (1-1) and James Baker had the other Grizzlies goals. Brayden Wandler stopped 42 of 52 shots.

UP NEXT: There will be little time to dwell on the week 12 results for any of the teams as all four are back in action with mid-week lacrosse games at Langley Events Centre. On Wednesday (March 19), it will be the Sea Spray (5-7) against the Shooting Eagles (9-3) while the next day (Thursday, March 20) sees the Grizzlies (4-8) face the Black Fish (6-6). Both games begin at 7:30pm.

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