The Westlock Bantam ‘B’ Rock celebrate
their league championship on June 24 after a victory over the Parkland
Posse. The team now heads to provincials July 10 in Grande Prairie. Back
row, L-R: coach Shane Boulerice, coach Stacey Perkins. Middle row:
manager Jessica Glover, Cole Perkins, Brittney Howse, Warren Hunt,
Stephen Tkachyk, Conrad Hegedus, coach Danielle Fagnan, Devon Hegedus,
Tyler Tymkow and Connor Perkins. Front row: Marcus Rea, Blair Boulerice,
Brendan Osachie, Josh Fagnan, Trenten Durell, Ryan Conquergood and Owen
Glover. (Submitted)
The Westlock Bantam Rock are off to the provincial lacrosse
championship in search of a gold medal after they were crowned league
champions last month.
The club claimed the Bantam ‘B’ Greater Edmonton Lacrosse Council championship following a 15-10 win over the Parkland Posse on June 24. With the win, the club now heads to the Alberta Lacrosse Association Bantam ‘B’ Provincial Championship which runs July 10-12 in Grande Prairie.
“It was exciting,” said Rock head coach Shane Boulerice recalling the club’s run to the league championship.
At provincials the Rock face a four-game round robin, with the final slated for July 12.
After starting their regular season off with a pair of losses, the Rock exploded with an eight game winning streak, which was finally broken in a heartbreaking 9-8 loss to the North Edmonton Wizards.
But the loss was only a bump in the road, as the club quickly rebounded with a 7-2 win over the Sherwood Park Titans and finished the season 10-3.
The Rock, seeded third overall, marched through the playoffs defeating all challengers, although Boulerice admits his heart skipped a beat in the championship game.
“We started with a little bit of adversity, going down 4-1,” Boulerice said. “I think it was a little bit of nerves. We played a little too defensively. But we kept playing, and so did the Posse, they never quit.”
In the later part of the third period the Rock managed pull away and coast to the 15-10 win.
“It was a good thing we had some kids with experience in a championship game where it meant lots.” Boulerice reflected. “They pulled the rest of the kids through it.”
Boulerice says its business as usual to prepare for the provincial championship, with two practices a week and a lot of conditioning.
“You have to be tough to play the game.”
The club claimed the Bantam ‘B’ Greater Edmonton Lacrosse Council championship following a 15-10 win over the Parkland Posse on June 24. With the win, the club now heads to the Alberta Lacrosse Association Bantam ‘B’ Provincial Championship which runs July 10-12 in Grande Prairie.
“It was exciting,” said Rock head coach Shane Boulerice recalling the club’s run to the league championship.
At provincials the Rock face a four-game round robin, with the final slated for July 12.
After starting their regular season off with a pair of losses, the Rock exploded with an eight game winning streak, which was finally broken in a heartbreaking 9-8 loss to the North Edmonton Wizards.
But the loss was only a bump in the road, as the club quickly rebounded with a 7-2 win over the Sherwood Park Titans and finished the season 10-3.
The Rock, seeded third overall, marched through the playoffs defeating all challengers, although Boulerice admits his heart skipped a beat in the championship game.
“We started with a little bit of adversity, going down 4-1,” Boulerice said. “I think it was a little bit of nerves. We played a little too defensively. But we kept playing, and so did the Posse, they never quit.”
In the later part of the third period the Rock managed pull away and coast to the 15-10 win.
“It was a good thing we had some kids with experience in a championship game where it meant lots.” Boulerice reflected. “They pulled the rest of the kids through it.”
Boulerice says its business as usual to prepare for the provincial championship, with two practices a week and a lot of conditioning.
“You have to be tough to play the game.”
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