It was never about the score for the junior A Burnaby Lakers.
The Lakers finished up their B.C. Junior Lacrosse League season on the wrong end of a 17-5 decision to the New Westminster Salmonbellies at the Bill Copeland Sports Centre on Sunday.
But for a second consecutive season, the Lakers under head coach Brad Parker, it was more about rebuilding the once mighty franchise back into a contender.
“It’s a growth period and we’re paying for bad habits,” said Parker after the game.
But despite finishing with a 4-17-0 record, one win less than last season, Parker believes the on-floor product is getting stronger.
“It’s not the best lacrosse you’ve ever seen, but they don’t quit,” he said.
Graduating team captain Corey Wong also believes that the seed for better days ahead has been sown.
Second-year righthander Aidan Milburn finished fourth in overall league scoring with 80 points, including his 41st goal of the season midway through the first period on Sunday.
Rookie lefthander Mitch McDole led the Lakers with a team-high hat trick against the Salmonbellies.
With loaned players Tyler Vogrig and Danny Spagnuolo back next year and two young goalies in the fold, 2016 should be a season of further growth, said Wong.
“The boys keep getting better and better. Next year, we’re going to see another incremental change. They’re always positively moving onto the next game,” Wong said. “Based on what I’m seeing, we have a great coaching staff and along with our returning boys, … I think there can be a huge change from this year and the year before.”
