Morning Star Staff
The young players put a smile on Vernon Sun Valley Source For Sports Tigers junior lacrosse coach Chris Scabar’s face.
The Tigers beat the Armstrong Shamrocks 15-3 and South Okanagan Flames 9-7 in their two games at the 11th annual Thompson Okanagan Junior Lacrosse League Archie Jack Icebreaker tournament Saturday at the Nor-Val Sports Centre.
“Things went really well playing with a very young team,” said Scabar. “I was really surprised by how well the rookies and Midget call-ups played in both games.”
Rookie Kolton Kirschner had a big day for the Tigers. Kirschner scored seven goals including four in the win over South Okanagan.
Veteran Ryan Sarazin chipped in 4+3 to go along with Kirschner’s hat trick against the Shamrocks.
Fellow returnees Quintin Harrish, Ethan Anderson and Jordie Barr had two goals each while singles went to Jake Pelletier and Conor Webb. Thomas Landels had three assists.
Drew Bannister, with two, and Marlon Forrest had the goals for the Shamrocks.
Midget call-up Thomas Mackiewich scored the winner against the Flames while fellow midget Kevin Beauregard, Landels, Barr and Chris Inscho had the other goals. Midget Caden Colmorgen had three helpers.
Darnell Hauca, who is expected to be the Tigers’ starting goalie after the graduation of all-star Aaron Jensen and injury to Jensen’s backup, Jeremy Gray, played in both games, splitting time with Midgets Jordie Scherck and Troy Cuzzetto.
“Darnell showed a lot of maturity out there,” said Scabar. “He came to camp ready to go.”
The Shamrocks improved mightily in their second game of the icebreaker, dropping a 10-8 decision to the Kelowna Raiders.
Sam Hanley had three goals for Armstrong, Forrest added a pair and singles went to Nicholas Yadernuk, Chase Bronson and Garrett Turner.
Francois Leroux played both games in goal for the Shamrocks.
“Francois did well, he’s a rookie right out of the Midget ranks,” said Armstrong assistant coach Jeff Hanley. “We are a very young team, we’re building. We played pretty well. The game against Vernon, the score wasn’t indicative of the play.”
The regular season starts Friday when the Shamrocks host the Tigers at 7:30 p.m. at the Nor-Val Sports Centre.
A five-goal second period proved to be the difference as the Kamloops Rattlers beat the Armstrong Shamrocks 10-8 in the season-opening Thompson Okanagan Senior Lacrosse League game for both teams Friday at the Nor-Val Sports Centre.
The teams were tied 2-2 after one before the Rattlers scored five in the middle frame and took a 7-5 lead into the third period.
“We struggled to put the ball in the net,” said veteran Irish goalie Chad Pieper, who finished the night with 24 saves. “I thought we controlled most of the game but the score didn’t end up in our favour.”
Former Shamrock AJ Lockwood led Kamloops with 2+3 while Rattlers goalie Mike Smith made 41 saves.
Brennan Plante led the Armstrong offence with 2+1 while single goals went to Steve Clark (who had two helpers), Aaron Green, Steve McIlwrath, Carston Schlaak, Craig Bigsby and Braidy Webb. Kyle Versteeg set up three Irish markers while Austin Lewarne chipped in two assists.
The Shamrocks visit the Kelowna Raiders on Friday, April 29. Armstrong’s next home game is Saturday, May 14, against the Rattlers.