For nine years, Ken Alexander has been at the helm of the Westshore Bears, a Junior B club from the Pacific Northwest Lacrosse League.
During his tenure, the team has always been competitive, winning the provincial title in 2005.
The Bears, winners of the regular-season title with a 17-3 record, will be aiming for another crown when the sa国际传媒 Junior B Championship starts today on their home floor at Bear Mountain Arena.
"We had a great regular season but then we lost in the first round of the playoffs to Cowichan,'' said Alexander, who is the brother of legendary lacrosse player Kevin. "We learned some lessons from the playoffs. We now know that we have to give it our best all the time. We have a very young team as we only lose seven players next year.''
Junior B players range in age from 17 to 21, the same as the Victoria Shamrocks of the sa国际传媒
Junior A Lacrosse League.
"You will see a high level of lacrosse at Bear Mountain,'' said Alexander. "There are some very good teams, including the Kamloops Venom.''
The Bears, Venom, Saanich Tigers and Delta Islanders are the four teams in the hunt for the championship.
Saanich knocked off Cowichan two games to one in the best-of-three league final to secure the other berth.
"We have a very balanced team on offence,'' said Alexander. "But it is the play of our defence that carries the team.''
Some of the offensive threats for the Bears are Sam Chiasson, Chris O'Hara, James Spence and Tristan Calve. The goaltending trio of Ed McCarthy, Wil Chiasson and Cody Cook has also been solid for the Bears.
Ethan Garland has been an offensive standout for Saanich.
In today's 10 a.m. opener, the two Island teams - the Tigers and Bears - tangle. Kamloops and Delta follow at 12: 30 p.m. The Bears are back on the floor at 5: 30 p.m. against Delta, while Kamloops and Saanich play in the 8: 30 p.m. nightcap.
The final is scheduled for 1 p.m. Sunday and the winner will go on to compete at the national championship (Founders Cup) at Six Nations (near Brantford, Ont.) later this month.
