Games in late May are typically about the Delta Islanders attempting to climb out of an early season hole. That will hardly be the case tomorrow night at the Ladner Leisure Centre.
Sole possession of second place will be on the line when the Islanders (5-2-1) entertain the New Westminster Salmonbellies (5-1) at 7: 30 p.m. Both teams are in the top 10 of the national junior rankings, sitting seventh and fourth respectively. Delta also handed New West its only loss - a 5-3 result back on May 8 at Queen's Park Arena.
That win is part of a five game unbeaten streak that has been fuelled by exceptional defensive play. The Islanders are surrendering an average of six goals per game and it begins in net where first-year intermediate age goaltender Will Schwan has more than answered the challenge of jumping up to the junior "A" level.
"A lot of people were second guessing me at the time when we made him our number one goaltender," said head coach Shaun Springett. "But I knew with our system and the type of goalie that he is, that he would flourish."
That game plan has the Islanders clogging the middle of the floor in their defensive zone, forcing their opponents to shoot from the perimeter.
"It all starts with (Will) playing the angles the way he does," continued Springett.
"Everything inside the dotted line is the defenders' responsibility and on the outside, it's the goaltender's job."
For the Islanders to keep moving forward, they will need more goal production.
Despite their impressive defensive numbers, they have managed just 51 goals in eight games. Help is on the horizon with third-year sniper Logan Schuss scheduled to return from Ohio State University in time for the June 9 game against the Victoria Shamrocks.
In the meantime, Springett would like to see more production from his right-handers. To date, the team has leaned heavily on its lefties, led by the 13 goals of rookie Eli McLaughlin.
The return of all-star Mike Mallory from a foot injury will give the right side a boost. He did manage a pair of goals in a 9-7 win over Burnaby last Saturday.
If the first meeting is any indication, look for another defensive battle tomorrow night.
"It's nice to be playing for second place and I don't think this club in its history has had too many games like this at this time of the season," added Springett. "Still, our focus is about getting better every game and making sure we are playing our best lacrosse at the end of July, not May."
Boxla bits...
The Islanders will have more defensive depth Saturday when Dan McDermott returns from his field lacrosse season at the New York Institute of Technology. His stay with the team will be short lived however.
The Richmond native has been selected to play for Canada at this summer's World Under 19 Field Lacrosse Championships, slated for July in Finland.
