The Subway Peewee B Ravens channelled their inner Jack Sparrows at the 33rd Annual Captain Cook lacrosse tournament in Victoria on the weekend.
Tournament organizers tried to make their legs as wobbly as drunken sailors by scheduling two games on Friday the 13th.
The Ravens beat Saanich 6-1 in the first game and sent Westshore B1 to Davey Jones' locker in a thrilling 4-3 win later that night. The victory against Westshore B1 came at a heavy price though, as Justin Kennelly suffered a deeply bruised knee and had to leave the game.
After having a day-off on Saturday, the Ravens returned to action Sunday morning against Peninsula without Justin in the line-up. The team worked hard and was full-value in their 7-5 victory to setup a gold medal game between two undefeated teams; the Ravens and Westshore B2.
Justin didn't want to watch the final game from the bench or in the stands…he had to be on the floor. His determination and resolve exemplifies the life-lessons coach Todd Fair and assistant coaches Jeff Lontayao and Ken Doney are striving to impart to the team.
"We are using a few different coaching techniques than other teams," said Fair. "For example, we have what parents are calling a Zen-like moment in the dressing room before games. We turn the music off and have a couple of minutes of quiet focus/visualization. After that, players take turns telling their teammates what they are going to do to contribute to the team's result. It's amazing to see it in their eyes and in their actions on the floor. These guys believe in each other and want to succeed together.
"Their never-give-up and never-quit-working attitude inspires confidence in each other…they don't feel that they have to make solo rushes all of the time. Many of our goals are the result of at least two passes and a shot. The team is working on setting more picks and running some set plays that require players to read, react and run. The guys are soaking it up and executing it better than we had hoped for at this point."
That was proven in the final game. Both teams played hard, with the lead changing hands several times. The Ravens enjoyed the last "Yo-ho-ho!" and earned a gold medal on each of their chests, beating Westshore B2 by a score of 8-6.
First year players Andy Hunt, Liam Rivett and Justin played like seasoned veterans. Quin Nelson, Bryce Turko and Max Nelson were tenacious in their pursuit of loose balls. Ethan Ouellette, Will McLean, Zack Lontayao and Reilly Doney were setting picks and making passes to open cutters. Game MVP honours went to Nolan Fair, Liam and Thomas Dunn (twice).
Subway Peewee B Ravens want to give a huge "Avast, me hearties!" shout-out to the Co-op Peewee C Ravens as they plundered the tournament treasure chest for a collection of silver medals. Way to go, Ravens.
The Ravens have a doubleheader Saturday against Saanich at Pearkes Arena in Victoria (10:30/1:30) followed by a doubleheader at Rod Brind'Amour arena on Saturday May 28 against Peninsula (12:30/3:30).
