Whey they have enough players, they can compete with any team in the Thompson Okanagan Junior Lacrosse League. When they don’t, the results aren’t good. The team tends to struggle getting players for their road games.
On May 24 in Armstrong, with just nine runners, the Flames got burned 12-4. Connor Walton scored three and Dean Grimm rounded out the offence. Two days later, with 13 players, the Flames lost 14-12 to the Vernon Tigers at Penticton’s Memorial Arena. Flames coach Alex Gerk liked how his team played. Against the Tigers, who like to utilize a fast break, what hurt the Flames was not doing little things like chasing for loose balls and tightening up defensively. Gerk saw improvement in the last half.
“More intensity on loose balls,” said Gerk. “Started making plays, setting picks. It started going for us.”
Walton led again offensively, scoring three goals and setting up three. Chris Pond, Gage Buchanan and Ryan Harms netted two. Liam Neary scored once.
Harms, the Flames captain, said they played well and has been happy with their play even with a minimum roster.
“It was nice to have the numbers today,” he said. “I don’t have any complaints on how we played really.”
The Flames’ next game is Friday when they host the Armstrong Shamrocks in Memorial Arena at 7:30 p.m. Gerk, along with co-coach Tony Ramsay, will continue to try to improve their defence and strengthen the offence. The Flames captain cracked a joke saying the only improvement he wants is a win.
The Flames have won twice and lost five. They are one point ahead of the last place Kamloops Venom. In seven games, the Flames have scored 59 goals and allowed 83.
The Flames are sporting new jerseys which team president Kevin Harms said they are proud of including the local support that made them happen. The team wore them for the first time during their Mother's Day game on May 12.
"We offered jersey sponsorships to local businesses and signed up 19 sponsors in just a couple of weeks," said Harms.
The jerseys were put together by ECM Promotions.