The South Okanagan Flames are back atop the Thompson Okanagan Junior Lacrosse League, in points for now.
The Vernon Tigers hold first place with two games in hand on the Flames. A 12-9 win over the Kamloops Venom Monday at Memorial Arena has the Flames junior B lacrosse team tied with the Tigers. The Flames, on a six-game winning streak, saluted their fans after the win in their final home game at Memorial Arena this season and headed to their dressing room jacked up.
“We were battling right now for first place. We were in first place before the game,” said Flames captain Kaid MacLeod, who returned from a concussion to score a hat trick and set up six goals. “Another win against these guys, who are also contending for first place is huge for us.
“It’s really nice to be back and get this big win,” continued MacLeod. “I hate watching. I want to be out there playing instead, helping the guys out.”
Trailing 6-5 after the first period, the Flames outscored the Venom 7-3 over the second and third period. MacLeod described the matchup as gritty. When facing each other, tempers on both sides tend to come out.
“Obviously we have a little bit of a temper, but we controlled it tonight,” he said.
Also scoring for the Flames were Louis Shortreed with a hat trick, Connor Walton and Jake MacLeod with a pair. Ben Olson and Mike McLean added a goal each. The Flames secured the win with a Shortreed power play goal when Isaiah Kozak at the top of the Venom zone hit Kaid MacLeod at the side of the net with a quick pass. MacLeod then fired a cross crease pass to Shortreed. Kozak drew the penalty when Ryan Emery got furious with him after making contact with goalie Dalan Etter.
When asked about the goal, Kozak talked about lacrosse being a fast game.
“If you move the ball you are bound to get a goal. The ball moves twice as fast as any player on the floor,” he said. “If you’re moving a ball like that, move it low and across the crease, the goalie looks at it first before getting his body over there.”
Along with playing strong defence, MacLeod said one of the things he liked about their play was the ball movement.
“Instead of trying to go one-on-one all game, we moved the ball more than normal,” he said. “It worked out well for us.”
The teams meet again tomorrow in Kamloops to make up for a cancelled on June 4. The Flames wrap up the regular season with two road games in Vernon.
Their home playoff games will be played at the Oliver Arena as Memorial Arena will not be available with ice being put in.