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Three weeks of silence have the Jr. C Lakers ready to make some noise. After eliminating Whitby to clinch the Central Conference title, the Lakers received a bye to the finals and haven’t played a game since July 23. They’ll return to the floor tonight against the Burlington Warriors for Game 1 of the Meredith Cup finals, with action set to get underway at 8 p.m. from the Healthy Planet Arena.
After going 15-1 in the regular season, the Lakers have yet to lose in the playoffs, sweeping their way through the first two rounds against Huntsville and then Whitby. During the time off, the team kept sharp with intense practices. They also stayed tight-knit, watching Jr. A and Senior games together to maintain their ‘family vibe. Head Coach Ryley Martinell feels the break helped them recover from their first two series, but says tonight will show if the time off was too long.
After watching Burlington compete in the semifinals against North Shore, Martinell says his team needs to be ready for a fast-paced series.
Led by goaltender Geordie Addison and a deep roster blending returning champions with new talent, Martinell is confident they’re primed for the challenge.
The best-of-five series unfolds over the next week:
Game 1 – Tonight at 8 p.m. at Healthy Planet Arena
Game 2 – Friday at 8 p.m. in Burlington
Game 3 – Sunday at 2 p.m. at Healthy Planet Arena
If necessary:
Game 4 – Tuesday, August 12, at 8 p.m. in Burlington
Game 5 – Thursday, August 14, at 8 p.m. at Healthy Planet Arena
For anyone who has never seen a Jr. C lacrosse game, Martinell describes it as fast, physical, and hungry, adding that it’s a proving ground for players eyeing bigger stages. He says they are excited to kick things off in Peterborough, emphasizing that the home crowd could be the edge.
(Written by: Scott Arnold)
