Athletics gear up for Arrows
The St. Catharines Athletics square off versus the Six Nations Arrows Wednesday at home at 8 p.m. to kick off the Ontario Lacrosse League junior A playoffs. FILE PHOTO
The St. Catharines Athletics are exactly where they want to be heading into the first round of the playoffs.
The A’s, barring an unforeseen result in the final two days of the regular season, will take on the Arrows in an Ontario Lacrosse Association junior A best-of-five playoff series beginning Wednesday at Jack Gatecliff Arena at 8 p.m.
“At this point, the good news is we’re rested and we are healthy which is very important at this time of the year,” St. Catharines general manager Jeff Chcoski said. “Wednesday (12-1 win over Barrie in their final regular season game) was probably the first time all year we’ve played with a full lineup.
“We feel everything happens quick in the playoffs and we have to be ready for any card that is dealt to us and be able to adapt to every situation we’re going to face in this first round.”
The A’s are coming off a strong regular season that saw them finish with a 15-5 mark and lead the OLA in goals against with just 107, for an average of a paltry 5.35 goals against per game.
Six Nations had a solid season at 11-8 and Chcoski cautions the Arrows are not to be taken lightly despite the fact the A’s defeated them 9-5 and 13-6 in the regular season.
“Six Nations is a quality team. They’re coached well, their offence is as good as any offence in the league, their defence plays strong, and they have solid goaltending.
“It is going to be a series that is going to be intense and tough. Six Nations at the deadline made some moves that they thought made themselves a little better. We have one thing to worry about and that’s a very good lacrosse club on the other side of the rink.”
With a short series, the A’s are motivated to come out of the chute quickly and not have to face a 1-0 deficit heading back to Six Nations in Game 2.
“The first game is critical and we need to be prepared to go right from the ball drop and play the best 60 minutes we have played all year,” Chcoski said. “I know our character and our guys and they will be ready to play come Wednesday.”
Chcoski feels the A’s have been focused on contending for a title since Day 1 this season.
“These guys are dedicated. They’ve had a couple of weekends to themselves and they know the commitment it’s going to take for this first round.
“I sent them a message congratulating them on their season and how important it is to focus this next week 100 per cent on Six Nations and this first-round series.”
Game 2 is Thursday in Six Nations with Game 3 Sunday in St. Catharines at 7 p.m. Game 4, if necessary, would be next Monday or Tuesday in Six Nations with Game 5 back at Jack Gatecliff Arena Wednesday, July 17, if needed.
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