They’ve only had one exhibition test, where just four returning players were in uniform, but the Burnaby junior Lakers’ coach is encouraged with his club’s prospects heading into the B.C. Junior A Lacrosse League season.
As with many of his rivals, coach Jason Dallavalle will have a very different roster come May 6 when the Lakers’ season begins against Victoria.
“I’m very excited. It’s a good time of year for us, as coaches this is when we make big strides in our teams development and focus on specific things,” said Dallavalle. “It’s a big challenge for us.”
Looking to make inroads and join the ranks of those competing for a playoff spot, Burnaby has a strong returning core expected to fill the green and white jerseys by the time the season hits the one-month mark. However, to improve and compete against the likes of Coquitlam, New Westminster and Langley, an injection of skill and intensity is needed to raise the bar internally.
Dallavalle feels that by the time the first group of collegiate players start returning home, next week, the battle for playing spots will increase.
“We get six out of the 15 missing back before the season starts (on May 6), trickling back by the end of April,” he said. “We had 19 players missing from our potential roster (in Saturday’s exhibition game). That’s quite a substantially different roster.”
In the test match against PoCo, the Lakers in attendance got a little taste of what junior A lacrosse is like in what was an 8-4 loss. Considering 18 of Burnaby’s players were making their junior A debut, while the Saints’ lineup had twice as many returnees dressed, the result wasn’t surprising.
It allowed the Lakers coaching staff a chance to evaluate a number of graduating midget players, as well as some intermediate players who are pushing for positions.
Among those who made an impression were Aiden Galt, defensive-minded Jacob Dowell, Brian Madill and returning sniper Damon Prince.
“(Galt) was one of the best players on the floor for both teams,” said Dallavalle. “Prince, who played for us last year, is a guy we kind of expect to dominate on offensive possession this season.”
The on-floor leadership will be buoyed with the return of captain Patrick Shoemay and Jordan Gabriele next month.
As to the netminding duties, second-year goalie Elijah Uema-Martin, nicknamed Bear, has one spot sewed up. But a three-way battle for the team’s backup is likely going to result in more competition down the stretch.
“I think our No. 2 goalie, whoever it may be, will give Bear a push. It won’t be as clear cut as last year where (since graduated Graham Husick) was the starter, and things happened and Bear became the starter. It won’t be as clear cut. Whoever is in that No. 2 spot will push for the starting role,” remarked the coach.
Those making their case for that role are Matteo Tak, Tyler Pongracz and Karter Williams, with only Williams possessing junior A experience.
Every layer of experience added over the next few months should pay dividends, Dallavalle added. It was evident in just three periods on Saturday.
“You could see improvement, with players getting a little use to the pace of play and the physicality of the junior league,” he noted. “For a lot of players coming out of midget, the speed and physicality is quite different. Even for the guys who played intermediate A last year, the game is quite different.”
The team doesn’t have any more exhibition games on the slate, but will see more veterans return to practice before the season kicks off May 6 against Victoria (5 p.m. at the Copeland Arena).
