The boys of field lacrosse return to action this weekend for their respective playoffs, and both teams are chomping at the proverbial bit.
The U12 Buccaneers are down-Island on Saturday for their two-game Tier 2 semi-final set against Vic Field 2.
“Two pretty evenly matched teams now that our Oceanside team has picked up four players from Campbell River, so that should be good competition,” Bucs’ field boss Tim Clermont said.
On Sunday, the Bucs go up against Vic Field 2 on the new turf fields at Beban Park in Nanaimo for a semifinal showdown. Games go at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.
“It should be good, we’re looking forward to getin’ on the turf.”
The U14 Bucs were 8-0 in league play and ran the table against their Tier 2 Island counterparts this year. On Sunday they take to the field against fourth seed Vic 2.
“We should definitely do well against them,” said Clermont, adding his squad needs games to shake some of the rust off (their last game was back on Nov. 30) and get ready for the one-game, winner-take-all Island final (to be played at UVic turf fields the following Saturday against either Mid Island or Pac Rim), “which will be a pretty competitive game to see who gets the Island banner.
“We have been chomping,” Clermont confirmed with a laugh when asked if the players have had enough time off.
“It’s been a long wait and we’re hoping these two against the fourth seed team will be a good tune-up for us as we continue or quest to be Island champs and to get to the provincials.”
The game was originally scheduled for Springwood Park but the local field is in rough shape, due to recent snow and rain.
Both playoffs will be decided by the total goals for and against at the end of the two games.