1. Victoria Shamrocks (Last week – 3)
Record: 2-2-0 Goal Differential: +8
Last Week: 11-5 W vs. Burnaby, 13-6 W @ Maple Ridge
This Week: vs. Maple Ridge, @ Langley
The Shamrocks got back on track and are starting to see most of their line-up return. After a pair of deserving wins over playoff clubs Burnaby and Maple Ridge, it seems as if the two early season losses to rival Nanaimo was simply an aberration.
Victoria welcomed “Dangerous’ Dan Dawson to practice earlier this week and he’ll be a welcomed addition to the line-up. Look for him to make his WLA regular season debut tonight when the ‘Rocks host the Burrards in a return date from last week’s 13-6 win. Cody Hagedorn was especially good in last Sunday’s game, and the whole team’s performance was indicative of what is to come later this season, giving them the nod over the Fish in this week’s power rankings.
- New Westminster Salmonbellies (2)
Record: 4-0-0 Goal Differential: +23
Last Week: 12-7 W @ Nanaimo, 9-2 W vs. Nanaimo
This Week: vs. Burnaby
Should the ‘Bellies take top spot in the power rankings with their pair of impressive wins over the Timbermen this week? Probably, but I’d like to see New West cut their teeth against a Victoria or Burnaby (who they play this week) to get a better feel of how tough they will be to play against this season.
Goaltender Alexis Buque was fantastic in Thursday’s 9-2 win, posting 35 saves and a .946 save percentage. They get a good test next Thursday when they host the Burnaby Lakers.
- Nanaimo Timbermen (1)
Record: 2-2-0 Goal Differential: -7
Last Week: 12-7 L vs. New West, 9-2 L @ New West
This Week: vs. Maple Ridge, @ Burnaby
It would be easy to say that the T-Men are who we thought they were after crashing back down to earth this week. But there’s still a lot of season left and the Timbermen have collected an impressive amount of talent which should allow them compete with the Burnaby’s and Langley’s of the league. They were missing a few guys in their line-up on Thursday in New Westminster but still were right with the ‘Bellies in terms of shot totals.
They get another couple chances to get back at it, hosting the Burrards who may be tired after coming to the Island for a Friday tilt with Victoria before travelling to play the Lakers at Bill Copeland Arena.
- Langley Thunder (6)
Record: 2-2-0 Goal Differential: +8
Last Week: 9-6 W @ Coquitlam, 15-8 W @ Burnaby, 8-7 L vs. Coquitlam
This Week: @ Maple Ridge
Former commissioner Casey Cook noted on Twitter this week that he’s not surprised by one team beating another, but the margin by which these teams are winning. That would ring true to Langley’s Tuesday 15-8 win over the Burnaby Lakers. But the Thunder will need to find the tune of consistency in order to be a threat in the WLA playoff picture. A one goal loss to Coquitlam the day after are the types of games they need to close out. But a 2-1 record this week is the type of record they’ll be looking to maintain throughout the season.
- Maple Ridge Burrards (5)
Record: 0-2-0 Goal Differential: -8
Last Week: 13-6 L vs. Victoria
This Week: @ Victoria, @ Nanaimo, vs. Langley
Maple Ridge got off a to a slow start in their 13-6 home opener lost to the Victoria Shamrocks, but their identity was evident as they played the Shamrocks physical and tough. With the lack of offensive talent at this point of the season, it’ll be tough for the Burrards to score goals, so defense and goaltending will be priorities to keep them in games until they can find some reinforcements up front.
On the good side of things, Frankie Scigliano looked quality in his return between the pipes in Ridge, making several key stops in the second period to keep the game close. The Burrards allowed a lot of transition and fast break opportunities to Victoria, something they’ll get a chance to clean up in a busy week with three games on tap.
- Burnaby Lakers (4)
Record: 1-2-0 Goal Differential: -12
Last Week: 11-5 L @ Victoria, 15-8 L vs. Langley
This Week: vs. Nanaimo, @ New Westminster
After a hard fought win over the Burrards, the Lakers took a step back, losing big to both Victoria and Langley. The sudden retirement of Tyler Richards perhaps put a wrench in the Lakers plans in net, as Joe Bell and Mike Lowe aren’t exactly the tandem to rely on if you want to get over the hump and into the WLA finals. Bell allowed 11 goals on 38 shots last Friday in Victoria while Lowe had a dismal four goals on seven shot outing against Langley.
On the bright side, Jason Jones has been a boom to the Burnaby offence, leading the team with 11 points in three games.
- Coquitlam Adanacs (7)
Record: 1-2-0 Goal Differential: -12
Last Week: 9-6 L vs. Langley, 8-7 W @ Langley
This Week: None
You may not recognize most of the names or faces behind this year’s Adanacs team, but that might just be how they want things to be. A scrappy team that plays consistent, they’re putting team efforts in and that is tougher to play against than always relying on one or two players at the top. Although the future of Wes Berg in an Adanacs uniform looks bleak right now, they’re finding ways to score goals and getting good enough goaltending to keep them in games.
The A’s won’t be rolling over for anyone and a few more wins could give this team some much needed hope.
Check out the WLA’s newly re-designed website at wlalacrosse.com for schedules, statistics, analysis and more.
