The Delta Islanders are scrambling in search of answers just 48 hours after their playoff hopes began with so much promise.
Only three wins away from their first appearance in the B.C. Junior A Lacrosse League playoff finals in franchise history, Delta looked fully capable of the achievement after a dominant opening 20 minutes in its semi-final series opener Saturday against the New West Salmonbellies that resulted in a 6-2 lead. Instead of cheering the hometown team onto victory, an estimated 500 fans watched the visitors roar back for a 14-13 overtime victory.
Game two at Queens Park Arena on Monday night delivered an even more complete performance from start to finish by the Salmonbellies, resulting in a 17-9 victory and commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series. Game three goes tonight (8 p.m.) at the Ladner Leisure Centre with the Islanders trying to stop the momentum that is about to crush their post-season dreams.
The locals did not lose to New West in three regular season meetings (2-0-1) en route to a second place finish that provided home floor advantage against their Royal City rivals. However, the solid defensive play and goaltending, that played a big part in the teams success, have suddenly gone missing.
Goaltenders Will Schwan and Peter Dubenski have both struggled to find their mid-season form. That was none more evident than in game two when the the Bellies blitzed them for 17 goals despite enjoying just a slight advantage in the shot department (48-46).
They are struggling right now and we are not playing very good defence in front of them either, said Islanders head coach Shaun Springett.
New West were down 6-2 the other night and we saw how they responded. We were in the same situation (in game two) and we just rolled over. That was very disappointing. We have some third-year character type players that we are really counting on and simply have to be better.
We have done things the hard way all season and now we have to do it again.
The Islanders are at least producing enough offence led by third-year standout Logan Schuss who was sensational in the series opener with seven goals and three assists. He added four goals and one assist on Monday. Mike Mallory has 12 points in the series, including seven in game one.
Call-up Cody Nass scored a pair of third period goals in game one and was poised to be credited with the game winner until New West equalized with just 1:39 remaining. Nass led the B.C. Intermediate A Lacrosse League in scoring with the Richmond Roadrunners and will be available for the remainder of the series after his team clinched a provincial berth on Monday.
