A’s ousted in five games
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is the probably the most famous athlete and person to say it. Now, it’s heard throughout arenas and sporting venues on a regular basis.
“You can’t win unless you learn how to lose.”
That was the sentiment after the St. Catharines Jr. A Athletics’ season came to an end Saturday night at Jack Gatecliff Arena.
The A’s dropped a 5-2 decision to the Orangeville Northmen, and lost a best-of-seven Ontario Junior A Lacrosse League semifinal series in five games.
Athletics alternate captain and
fifth-year defender Alec Tamas was in tears after the game.
“This is so tough, these guys are my brothers — it’s been the best five years of my life,” said Tamas who along with forward Jeff Wittig were the two longestserving members of the A’s this
season.
“This year, I can’t thank them enough, and I will never forget this year,” Wittig said. “It was the best year of my life.
“From our president and VP (vice-president), all the way down to the scratches (players not dressed for the game) tonight, I can’t thank them enough.”
Saturday night was a repeat of much of the series as St. Catharines could not solve the Orangeville defence and in partic-
ular goaltender Rylan Hartley.
Hartley was the league most valuable player of the regular season and showed why in this series. On Saturday he made 34 saves as the Athletics went more than 32 minutes — from the 7:26 mark of the second period — without scoring a goal.
The A’s averaged more than nine goals per game in 2018, but could only muster 22 goals over five games against the Northmen, an average of just over four goals in this series.
“We worked hard for five games, but their goaltender didn’t let anything bad in, and we couldn’t get anything by him,” head coach Steve Toll said.
The Athletics brought a ton of respect back to the organization this season, winning a home playoff game for the first time since 2010, a road playoff game for the first time since 2009 and a playoff series for the first time since 2008.
“I’m so proud of the boys, but sometimes you have to learn how to lose before you win,” Toll said.
“(They) haven’t lost this deep in the playoffs before, and now you’ve got a taste of it.”
Tamas perhaps said it best knowing the franchise’s history that dates back to 1877.
“I made memories that will last a lifetime here, and I know us 97s (1997-born players) really hope we taught the younger guys a lot and they can use that experience going forward, and hopefully bring back a championship for this city — because this city definitely deserves one.”
A’s Acorns: Tanner Vail, Kyler Kilgour and draw-man Mason Kamminga were the regulars out of the Athletics lineup, as Owen Friesen did an admirable job taking draws on this night … Along with Tamas and Wittig, Logan Munroe, Teddy Leggett and Trevor Stacey played their last junior lacrosse games … Toll watched from the press box after being suspended for one game following Friday’s late game fracas in Orangeville. And due to that fracas a third official was assigned to this game, watching from the penalty box … Former Jr. A Athletic, and Merritton native, Nick Baum won the 50/50 draw.