The Westlock Junior Rock’s season came to an abrupt end Sunday afternoon after dropping back-to-back games to the Lloydminster Xtreme at the Rotary Spirit Centre.
The Rock were eliminated from the Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League Tier 2 North Central Division playoffs despite notching the all-important first game of the best-of-three series.
In Game 1, played on Saturday, July 11, the Rock got the start they wanted taking the series opener with a convincing 10-7 win.
“It was a big win to get started, and I thought that was going to set the tone,” said coach Mike Ivey.
In need of only one more win to move on in the league playoffs, the Rock were unable to take Game 2 played Sunday morning, July 12, losing 10-8.
“They came back hungry,” Ivey said. “The toughest thing to do in playoffs is to eliminate a team when they have their backs against the wall.”
The decisive Game 3, played Sunday afternoon, was required to determine a winner, and the Rock once again had no answer for the Xtreme and were eliminated following an 11-9 loss.
Ivey said despite entering the series as the favourite, the Xtreme were not a team to be taken lightly.
“We knew what to expect from these guys. As much as they were in sixth place in the league they’ve developed so much over the year and got a lot stronger,” Ivey said.
In Game 2, the Rock managed to pull within two goals late, despite being down 10-5 at the end of the second.
Ivey said falling short in and not being able to win Game 2 was likely the turning point in the series.
“It would have been nice to have come back in Game 2,” he said. “Nobody wants to have to play that third game.”
Ivey admitted the Rock were likely a marked team heading into the playoffs.
“Teams wanted to beat us for sure,” he said. “The last four years we’ve been very successful.”
Despite losing the series, Ivey credited his team with a well-played season.
“They deserved a better fate,” he said. “Realistically, in my opinion, we could have won.
“We were an unbelievable team, an unbelievable group and it’s unfortunate to get beat out when you know you can go all the way. But that’s the way it goes sometimes.”
