ALL West Finals Preview

Will it be a Black Fish repeat championship, or will the Shooting Eagles exact a measure of revenge as they make their third straight finals appearance, seeking a second title in that span?

That question will be answered this weekend during the Arena Lacrosse League West Finals at Langley Events Centre. Game 1 goes on Saturday with Game 2 set for Sunday, both beginning at 1:00pm. Should the teams split the first two games, a 10-minute mini-game will be played on Sunday following a brief intermission to decide the 2025 ALL West champion.

“They are fierce competitors who elevate their games, and we need to be able to match that,” said Shooting Eagles coach Adam Smith, who team went 3-1 during the regular season against the Black Fish, on their way to an ALL West-best 11-3 record.

“They play consistent, which is a big reason for their good record. They are coached very well and have bought into what the coaching staff wants to do, and they run their systems very well,” said Black Fish coach Rod Jensen. His team finished in second place at 7-7.

For the season, the Shooting Eagles were both the top offensive team at 14.1 goals per game while also allowing a league-low 10.4 goals per game. They were also the only one of the four teams with a positive goal differential at +51.

The Black Fish ranked second offensively at 12.4 goals per game while allowing 13.1 goals against (third) and had a goal differential of -11.

In the special teams’ battle, the Shooting Eagles power play operated at 71 percent while their penalty kill was successful on 47 percent of their opponents’ opportunities, which ranked them first and third, respectively in both categories. The Black Fish check in fourth in both categories, at 40 percent (powerplay) and 43 percent (penalty kill), respectively.

The Eagles’ Mark Yingling was tied for the ALL West lead in goals at 37 and won the regular season scoring race with 67 points while three of his teammates Dylan Lacroix (22-28), Declan Fitzpatrick (19-27) and Garret Winter (17-28) also finished in the top 10 in regular season scoring.

“Their offence is very shifty and has a balanced attack and all their players play their role well,” Jensen said.

In goal, the Shooting Eagles are led by the tandem of Brody Harris and Colin Jeffrey. Harris was 5-2 on the season with a 10.33 goals against average (second among eligible goalies) and a .786 save percentage. Colin Jeffrey suited up in four regular season games, going 3-0 with a 9.02 goals against and .813 save percentage. Jeffrey was between the pipes in last week’s semi-final victory, making 31 saves in a 17-12 win over the Grizzlies.

Three Black Fish players finished with 20 or more goals: Rhys Porteous (24-16), Ethan M’Lot (22-27) and Connor Watson (20-31). Watson was also sixth in the ALL West with 51 points. In goal, Brandon Humphrey was the named a finalist for the ALL West Goalie of the Year – an award he has won the previous three seasons – with a 10.87 GAA and .808 save percentage (second among eligible goalies). He has shared the crease with Keegan Okino (11.73 GAA, .798).

Both teams also possess a strong face-off presence with Tyson Johnson (Shooting Eagles) going 193-67 (.737) on face-offs while Reese Barnes (Black Fish) finishing 114-67 (.630) for his team.

“They have a big, skilled offence and a big defence, plus they have guys who will push the ball in transition very effectively,” Smith said. “And their goalie is extremely tough to score on.”

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