Maple Ridge Burrards second in WLA, in tight playoff race

With just five games left in the Western Lacrosse Association season, the Maple Ridge Burrards have vaulted into second place in the league standings.

There is only one team in the league with a winning record as of July 8, the undefeated Victoria Shamrocks (11-0), and then the Burrards are well behind at 6-7. They are in the thick of a tight playoff race, with just two points separating second and fifth places in the standings, as four teams battle for three playoff spots behind the Shamrocks.

The Ridge Team defeated the Burnaby Lakers 13-9 on Friday night, July 5, but then lost to the Coquitlam Adanacs 6-3 on Sunday night at Cam Neely Arena.

Friday night, high-scoring rookie Marcus Klarich had four goals and four assists to lead the Burrards, while Dylan Mcintosh had a goal and six assists. They were the first and second stars of the game respectively.

The game was tied 4-4 after the first period, with the Lakers benefiting from three power play goals.

But the Burrards scored four power play goals in the second period – three from Klarich – as they took a 12-7 lead and cruised to a win.

Ryan Jones had two goals and three assists, and Garret Winter had three goals and an assist. Goaltender Brandon Humphrey made 53 saves to get the win.

On Sunday, the Burrards ran into a hot goaltender in Adanac Andrew Gallant, who allowed only three goals on 51 shots.

Mcintosh had a goal and an assist, while Klarich was held off the score sheet despite being credited with 10 shots on goal.

Humphrey was the game’s second star, and leads the team in star selections with two firsts, three seconds and a third.

The Burrards are back in action against the Lakers (3-6) on Tuesday night, July 9, at Cam Neely Arena. Game time is 7:30 pm