The Burnaby Lakers are hoping to get another crack at the Delta Islanders, when they host the B.C. junior B lacrosse championships this weekend.
The Lakers took their best-of-three semifinal playoff series to a third and deciding game Saturday, after extending the series on a last-second goal by Matt Shields following a 14-12 win over Delta in Ladner last Saturday.
In the tiebreaker, the Islanders fought back from a 3-1 first-period deficit to take a 6-5 lead with three minutes left on a contentious non-call in the crease. Eight seconds later, the Islanders added an insurance marker to win 7-5. Aiden Milburn scored four times for Burnaby in the loss. Scott Petursson chipped in with three assists.
On Saturday, Burnaby evened the series in Ladner.
Milburn led the way with five goals and a single assist. Kevan Galte had a five-point night, including a goal. Petursson and Shields both tallied twice.
Defenceman Steven Glowa scored his first goal of the season on a fastbreak. Ryan Lasaleta also tallied on a breakaway.
Despite the loss, Burnaby earned a bye into the junior B provincials as the host.
"We can proudly say that Burnaby did not give these guys anything," said Lakers Pam Johnson. "We fought three hard games, and Delta knew they were lucky to get this. ... They had to earn it."
Coquitlam took the opening game in the bestof- three final 10-9 over Delta in the championship final.
The four-team provincial championships open on Friday with Burnaby taking on the West Coast playoff champion at 5 p.m. on Friday.
Thompson/Okanagan league champion Vernon Tigers and Vancouver Island junior B winner Saanich will follow the opening ceremonies at 7 p.m. Round robin games continue on Saturday at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. and again on Sunday, beginning at 9 a.m. The medal games will be played later in the day, with the bronze medal going at 5 p.m. and the gold-medal matchup scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
