The Sunshine Coast Rapids are off to the provincial lacrosse championships for the first time in association history.
The pee wee squad fought off a pesky Semi-hamoo Rock squad 5-4 in game two of their best-of-three playoff series last Saturday at the Sunshine Coast Arena in Sechelt to earn the spot at the provincials. The provincials are set for July 23 to 27 in Chilliwack and will feature 32 teams in four divisions.
Semihamoo took an early 1-0 lead only to see the Rapids come back with two goals from captain and leading scorer Carlos Ibanez to lead 2-1 after the first.
The Rock quickly tied it 2-2 in the second, but Tyler Graham restored the Rapids lead, making it 3-2 after two periods.
Semihamoo didn't quit, tying the score again 3-3 four minutes into the third period, but once again, the home side took the lead as Carlos fired home his third goal of the game with just under six minutes to play. The goal was an end-to-end rush by Carlos and he finished the play snapping the ball into the top right hand corner of the net.
Three minutes later, Semihamoo tied the score for the third time in the contest and it looked like overtime might be needed, but Erick Sawchuk finished a two-man break with Carlos for the winning goal, and the Rapids hung on for the one-goal win.Carlos led the scoring with three goals and one assist, Tyler had one goal and one assist, and Erik scored once. Ryan Christoff and goalie Brandon Reeves, who made a number of great saves during the game, also got into the scoring as they were credited with one assist each.
The Rapids won game one of the series last Thursday night in White Rock 9-8, where Carlos led the way with six goals."For us to make the provincials is a huge accomplishment for not only this team, but for the whole association," said association president and pee wee coach Anthony Taylor. "The kids really came together this year. We have players from age eight to 12 and they all play together as a team. The older players include all the younger players in the passing and every play. It was total teamwork that got us to this point."
Taylor said this is the third year the Rapids have played in the league and the second playing a regular league schedule travelling to play teams in the Lower Mainland.
"We're really starting to see our association grow," said Taylor. "All our volunteers, coaches, parents - everyone associated with Rapids lacrosse should be very proud of what has been achieved today. It's a big step for us."
Taylor said he expects big things in Chilliwack.
"Realistically, I think we could win it all," said Taylor. "This team is certainly capable of being in the medal round, that's for sure."
The midget Rapids team saw their season end last week as they dropped a 9-3 decision to Ridge Meadows in the second round of the playoffs.
