Victoria Shamrocks head coach Bob Heyes said, with a chuckle, his team has no choice but to go deep into the Western Lacrosse Association playoffs toward a fourth consecutive appearance in the Mann Cup national final in September.
It鈥檚 the only way much of his family, including wife Carina, will see any of the lacrosse post-season because they will be in Rio watching Bob鈥檚 niece, Caileigh Filmer, compete for sa国际传媒 in the women鈥檚 rowing eight next month at the Olympic Games.
鈥淲e are proud of Caileigh and I would be there myself,鈥� said Heyes.
But, of course, he has other summer commitments.
And they continue tonight with a key WLA encounter for the Shamrocks at The Q Centre against the Maple Ridge Burrards that could go a long way in determining the structure of that looming playoff picture.
The Shamrocks (8-3) and Burrards (7-4-1) occupy two of the four post-season slots at the moment in the seven-team circuit. So do the Burnaby Lakers (7-6-1) and New Westminster Salmonbellies (8-3-2 heading into a late-finishing game Thursday night against the Nanaimo Timbermen).
鈥淭his could determine home-floor advantage in a potential first-round matchup,鈥� said Heyes.
These teams always play each other tough. Tonight is the rubber match of the three-game season set with the clubs splitting the first two games with Victoria prevailing 12-10 on June 12 at Cam Neely Arena and the Burrards 12-10 in overtime on June 3 at The Q Centre.
鈥淭he Burrards used to have one of the best players in the world with Curtis Dickson but are a more balanced team now with an attack that is more dispersed,鈥� said Heyes.
Maple Ridge still, however, brings an intimidating edge to its game. Some in the league claimed they went over that edge. The WLA demanded a $25,000 bond from the Burrards following a game against the Burnaby Lakers on May 29 in which 16 penalties were levied with 15 seconds remaining in overtime.
The league at the time, citing what it said was a past history of late-game line brawls, added both the money and the rest of the Burrards season would be forfeited if the team engaged in any more questionable behaviour. The Burrards balked at having to post the bond. The league and the club later met and came to an undisclosed understanding, with the league announcing June 13: 鈥淭he WLA Board of Governors and Maple Ridge Burrards have reached an agreement, as the 2016 WLA season will continue as scheduled.鈥�
So the somewhat chastised Burrards soldier on. But don鈥檛 expect their patented physicality to be totally absent tonight.
鈥淭he Burrards still play that physical and punishing game,鈥� noted Heyes.
鈥淭hey try to get under your skin and draw penalties. We have to play our game and stay composed and let them take the penalties.鈥�
The Shamrocks are riding a two-game winning streak and believe they are rounding into form with Rhys Duch leading the WLA in goals with 27 and Cory Conway the league in assists with 47. With only six regular-season games remaining after tonight, the club is beginning to look toward the endgame and post-season.
鈥淲e have been pushing certain processes and there鈥檚 a good feeling around the team . . . but not any complacency,鈥� said Heyes.
