Grizzlies turnaround continues with fourth win in past five games

Kyle Brunsch led the Grizzlies with three goals and seven points in his team's 11-9 win over the Black Fish in Arena Lacrosse League West action at Langley Events Centre on March 20. Gary Ahuja photo

Saturday’s regular season finale will have a whole lot on the line.

Following the Grizzlies 11-9 win over the Black Fish on Thursday night at Langley Events Centre to wrap up Arena Lacrosse League West week 13 action, the Grizzlies and Sea Spray both sport 5-8 records, just one game behind the second-place Black Fish (6-7). All three teams – as well as the 10-3 Shooting Eagles, who have first place wrapped up – will finish their regular season this Saturday afternoon.

For the Grizzlies, Thursday’s victory was their fourth in their past six games, with both losses coming in sudden-death overtime. It is a far cry from the team which won their season opener back in late November, but then dropped their next seven games.

“Collectively as a unit, we are playing more team ball. The ball is swinging side to side, as well as our tempo bringing up the ball has been a lot better which is creating more opportunities on the offensive end,” explained Kyle Brunsch on the team’s first half of the season compared to the second.

He added the turnaround gives the team a confidence boost heading into the playoffs on March 29.

The Grizzlies never trailed on Thursday, scoring the first three goals and leading 4-1 after a quarter, 6-3 at the half and 8-6 with 15 minutes to play.

Brunsch the first star on the night with three goals and seven points for the Grizzlies. He sits third in the ALL West with 32 goals, trailing Mark Yingling (Shooting Eagles) and James Rahe (Sea Spray) who have 35 and 34 on the season, respectively.

Brunsch was one of four Grizzlies players with multi-goal games, alongside Dennon Armstrong (2-3), Aidan Baker and Jaden Laberge. Nash Moog and Toru Morimatsu completed the scoring with a goal and a helper apiece.

Brayden Wandler finished with 42 saves on 51 shots, an .824 save percentage.

Laszlo Henning led the Black Fish with five goals and six points while Temeke7 Gottfriedsen (2-3) and Connor Watson (1-4) both had five-point games. Ryan Jensen had the other goal with both Aidan Murphy and Chase McIntyre finishing with three helpers. Brandon Humphrey made 52 saves as his team was outshot 63-51.

UP NEXT: The regular season concludes with a doubleheader on Saturday (March 22). At 1:00pm, it will be the Black Fish against the Sea Spray before the Grizzlies battle the Shooting Eagles at 4:00pm.

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