Delta Islanders overcame a short bench and some tough opponents to win the top flight of Richmond Lacrosse's annual Midget Tournament in thrilling fashion.
The Islanders were down five regular players for the entire weekend and needed the help of call-ups Isaac Richmond, Evan Khara and Bentley Barrados to fill out the roster.
Delta went undefeated in preliminary play - setting the stage for a pair of playoff barn burners. An early morning semi-final tilt with Rocky View from Calgary needed overtime to determine a winner.
Goals from Dawson Trimble, Brendan Ancrum, Brad Phillips, Jared Beaton and Taylor Goundrey had the Islanders in front before Rocky View battled back to force extra time.
Riley Phillips ended the drama when he converted a feed from Brad Phillips and Jack Yingling at the 6: 32 mark. Goalie Kyle Geere faced 63 shots.
The championship game was all-Islanders in the early going as a natural hat trick from Riley Phillips and another goal from Beaton staked Delta to a 4-0 lead after one period. Goundrey added another in the second and third period goals by Riley Taylor and Ancrum seemed to be enough until the Islanders ran into penalty trouble in the final five minutes.
Saanich stormed back to tie the game at 7-7 and forced the Islanders into another overtime battle.
Riley Taylor's second of the game secured the championship. Justin Smith was terrific in net, making 46 saves to earn player of the game honours.
The Islanders are coached by Trevor Smith with assistants Cam Taylor, Darren Grant and Adam Haydon.
