The Burnaby Lakers did everything in their power to earn a Western Lacrosse Association playoff spot. However, teams with little at stake were not as accomodating.
Last weekend, Burnaby picked up three of a possible four points in its final two games of the season.
The Lakers started with a well deserved 11-11 draw on Thursday at Queen's Park against the New Westminster Salmonbellies, which clinched first place in the WLA with the point.
The following night, Burnaby outlasted the Maple Ridge Burrards 12-11 at the Bill Copeland "Our g just get Sports Centre.
With the added points, the Lakers earned the series advantage against both Maple Ridge and Nanaimo, the two teams it was in a battle with for the fourth and final playoff spot.
But New Westminster did the Lakers no favours on the final night of the WLA, dressing four callups and a total of seven first-year players in what resulted in a 12-7 victory for Maple Ridge on Sunday.
The Burrards stole the final playoff spot from Burnaby by virtue of one more win in the regular season.
Other playoff-bound teams appeared to also be going through the motions in their final regular season matchups.
Coquitlam, eliminated from the playoffs earlier in the week, defeated thirdplace Langley 12-8 on Saturday, while runner-up Victoria allowed Nanaimo to have its way in a final 13-3 win, also Saturday.
"Our goal was just getting in the playoffs. We had three first-round draft picks in the first round. We were playing better in the last few weeks," said 6-5 righthander Scott Jones, who had four goals, including the game-winner in a firststar performance against the Burrards on Friday. "It's all team. We go in as a team and we come out as a team."
The Lakers were backstopped by rookie keeper Dan Lewis, who played lights out for a second consecutive night, stopping more than 100 shots in his last two games of the season.
"I've played against (Lewis) ever since I was six years old," said Jones, a former Port Coquitlam minor product. "He has proven himself as a starter. . I can't say enought about him. He's a great guy and a great team guy."
Lewis finished third overall this season with a 0.824 save percentage, while logging the most minutes of any goalie in the league.
Lewis made two highlight reel saves in each of his last two outings. At home, with Maple Ridge mounting a late second-period rally, Lewis made an unbelievable save with his right glove off a point-blank shot from the top of the crease.
In New West, Lewis stole a sure goal from a cutting Sean Robinson with his stick, netting the ball at the upper far post with a quick reaction save late in the final frame.
New Westminster eventually tied the contest with three straight goals with the goalie on the bench for a sixth attacker.
Burnaby's Matt Quinton scored in overtime to secure the all-important single point for Burnaby.
Former Burnaby junior and New Westminster first star Ilija Gajic had kudos for the Burnaby club following the game.
"I'm not surprised at all (on the outcome)," Gajic said. "They're missing a couple of defenders. I have a lot of respect for (Burnaby). They worked hard from the first minute and their goaltender played fabulous."
