Consistency prevented the Penticton midget Heat lacrosse team from netting better results during their Barn Burner tournament over the weekend.
The Heat opened with a 9-7 win over the Kamloops Rattlers and ended with a 6-2 loss against the Coquitlam Adanacs #1.
“I thought our team performed well,” said Heat coach Dan VanOs. “I don’t think we were satisfied with our final results, but we had some real solid play throughout the tournament.”
VanOs added that his players need to maintain consistency against stronger teams. In their other two games, the Heat battled back to tie the Comox Valley Wild 8-8 and lost to the Prince George Posse 10-5. The Posse lost the tournament final to the Shuswap Outlaw 10-5.
VanOs wanted his team to be challenged by playing stronger competition and that was the case with Comox Valley, Prince George and Coquitlam. The tournament featured strong midget B teams that also included North Delta.
“I liked the compete level from our team as well as the intensity level,” said VanOs. “We need to play a little smarter against better teams and avoid taking penalties at the wrong time.”
Other teams in the tournament included the Port Moody Thunder and Surrey Rebels.
The Heat recently wrapped up its TOMBLC season with wins over Nicola Valley, 12-7, and the previously undefeated Shuswap, 8-7. Against Nicola Valley, the team received solid goaltending from Brenden Steed, a four-goal effort from Isaiah Kozak and two goals by Brett VanOs, Sam Jones and Jake McLeod. Ethan Marsden-Blackface contributed a goal and four assists. Christan Calhoun, Max Trainer, Pete Simmerling and Avory Beyer provided outstanding defence.
In the Shuswap win, Kozak again led with a hat trick, while Karsten Burton added two goals. Outstanding hustle and leadership was provided by Steve Scroggie, Michael McLean, Owen Haggerty and Brenden Deverill.
The Heats record to conclude the season was 10-1-1.