LaxAllStars Game of the Week: Coquitlam vs Delta

Editor’s Note: The BCJALL, or British Columbia Jr. A Lacrosse League, and LaxAllStars.com have teamed up to bring you the hottest content from one of the most competitive box lacrosse leagues in the world. Jr. A box lacrosse in BC is a big deal, with many rising stars playing in the league. 

Once again we will be working with a team of insiders to provide you the LaxAllStarsGame of the Week. Each week we will give you a comprehensive analysis of the hottest matchup along with other need to know other information about the BCJALL. 

In Canada, the summer is box season, so let’s talk Jr. A Box Lacrosse in British Columbia! 

LaxAllStars Game of the Week:

Coquitlam Adanacs vs. Delta Islanders Saturday, May 23 7:30PM (Ladner Leisure Centre) 

The Coquitlam Adanacs (4-1) are coming off of winning the BCJALL Championship and the Western Canada Championship followed by losing to Six Nations in the Minto Cup in six games. Although they have lost one of the best products of the BCJALL, Wesley Berg, much of their dynamic and powerful offense still remains. Much of the weight of the offense will now be carried by the likes of Brett Kujala, Chase McIntyre, and Cole Shafer. 

Another important cog in their offense, Tyler Pace, will also join them later on after his collegiate season with the University of Denver ends. Getting Tyler Pace back will be a much needed asset for the Adanacs as the largest margin that they have won by is 5 goals. Pace, who had 11G and 20A for 31 points in 7 games last year will help increase the differential for Coquitlam. 

But if there is one team that could able to thwart this collaboration of offensive players, it would be the Delta Islanders (6-0). Led by legendary NLL goalie and GM, Marty O’Neill, the Islanders defense has been reborn into a tight-knit unit that forces teams to take the worse shot possible while taking away good scoring chances. 

The Islanders own offensive group is nothing to ignore either. Led by 17 year old powerhouse Tre LeClaire who has 34 points in only 6 games, Delta leads the league in Goals For with 80 of them. Tre’s older brother Griffen LeClaire anchors the left side of the floor playing alongside the smooth moving Evan Messenger who both have 21 points each. 

Both teams have comparable defensive and offensive units and if there will be a game changer it will the the penalty situation. The Adanacs are very good at being level headed, taking a league least 62 PIM. Coquitlam’s ability to stay out of the penalty box is a huge asset when facing a power play unit as strong as Delta’s. If Delta does not stay out of the penalty box, Coquitlam will make them pay over and over again. And although Delta has managed to pull of two huge comebacks already this season; one against Victoria when they were trailing 8-4 going into the 3rd, and the other against Burnaby when they trailed 9-5 after the 1st, if they get behind Coquitlam by a few goals, it will be much harder for them to dig themselves out of this hole.