The peewee Rapids are off to the provincial lacrosse championships in Kamloops next week after beating Mission twice last weekend in a best-of-three playoff series.
The Rapids won the first game 6-1 on Saturday as Adam Goepel and Braedon Service each scored a pair with Chris Risebrough and Ben Bryant adding singles. Braedon and Matt Drope picked up assists.
Game two was another impressive win for the Rapids, this time 9-0. Tommy Johnston and Adam each had hat tricks with singles by Jake Podgorenko, Matt and Braedon. Ben Bryant, Noah, Tommy, Adam and Braedon all picked up assists, and Noah Sheldon was stellar in net, earning the shutout.
The provincials are July 10 to 14.
The midget Rapids fought a tightly-contested match against Port Coquitlam on Saturday with Gabriel Chamberlain opening the scoring with a short-handed goal early in the first period.
Port Coquitlam was unable to answer until the second period, which Raven Wall, assisted by Gabriel, quickly trumped with a goal of his own. Justin Macey helped the team pull further ahead with the third Rapids' goal later in the second.
Port Coquitlam returned from the dressing room after the second period with renewed determination and quickly leveled the score.
The Rapids pulled ahead again with a second goal from Gabriel, assisted by Graydon Inksater, which Poco met with their own goal several minutes later.
A tie looked to be in the cards until Port Coquitlam snuck a ball past goalie Goran Trokicic in the final six seconds for the 4-3 win.
Later on Saturday, the Rapids took on the dominant North Shore Eagles.
Raven, assisted by Jacob Huson, opened the scoring for the Rapids, followed by Graydon, assisted by Justin.
In the second period, Raven scored, with an assist by Gabriel, and one without an assist. Jacob was assisted by Wesley Konopasek to score his goal.
In the third period, Raven scored his fourth goal for the game. Although taking an 8-6 loss, the Rapids surprised the North Shore with their skill, strength and resolve.
The midget team now advances to the second round in a best-of-three series against first-place Langley, hoping to earn a berth in the finals.
- Submitted
