It鈥檚 the most obvious, and perhaps over-used, observation in lacrosse or hockey: Goaltending matters in the playoffs. But it鈥檚 mentioned so often precisely because it鈥檚 so true.
Frank Scigliano of the Maple Ridge Burrards, the 2018 Western Lacrosse Association goaltender of the year, has been getting stronger as the final series progresses. He was named second star in Tuesday night鈥檚 9-7 Burrards victory over the Victoria Shamrocks in Game 3 at The Q Centre.
The Burrards lead the best-of-seven series 2-1 heading into Game 4 tonight at Cam Neely Arena in Maple Ridge. Game 5 is Saturday night at The Q Centre.
Victoria veteran sniper Rhys Duch, however, has managed to solve Scigliano with a hat trick against him Tuesday and five goals total in the series.
鈥淗e鈥檚 got that big blocker he flashes out there,鈥� said Duch.
鈥淎nd he is quite mobile for a big goalie.鈥�
Duch should know.
Scigliano has also played pro in the National Lacrosse League for the Calgary Roughnecks for seven seasons while the veteran sniper Duch plays with the Vancouver Stealth.
鈥淢aybe it鈥檚 just that I鈥檝e been shooting against him for so long 鈥� in both the NLL and in the WLA 鈥� that I know where to place the ball on him,鈥� said Duch.
In that case, Duch鈥檚 Shamrocks teammates should play close attention to what he does.
At the other end of the floor, the Burrards鈥� superstar forward Curtis Dickson has 11 goals in three games against Victoria in the final to reinforce his status as the best player in the world, in many people鈥檚 opinion.
But Shamrocks head coach Bob Heyes, immediately after Tuesday鈥檚 game was incensed, and claimed Dickson goes down easily after checks to draw penalties: 鈥淗e鈥檚 one of the best players in the world, but he鈥檚 diving left and right, and doesn鈥檛 play the game straight up.鈥�
Given a day to reflect, Heyes backed off a bit Wednesday.
鈥淚t was maybe me deflecting from our slow start [Maple Ridge led 3-0 and 5-1] and putting the focus on something else,鈥� said Heyes.
But Heyes remained adamant on one point: 鈥淭he refs are not letting the players play. Let them play.鈥�
And Mr. Dickson, in reflection?
鈥淗e is going to get his two or three goals. It鈥檚 when he gets four or five that we are in trouble. We will make some defensive adjustments. We have to play him physically and make it difficult for him.鈥�
The Shamrocks are in the WLA final for the sixth consecutive season under Heyes. This is a reprise of the 2016 final, won in six games by the Burrards, to advance to their first Mann Cup national final since 1990. The Salmonbellies defeated the Shamrocks in five games in last year鈥檚 league final. The WLA champion will meet the winner of the Ontario final between the Peterborough Lakers and Oakville Rock in the best-of-seven 2018 Mann Cup national championship to be played at the home of the Ontario champion.
