Jr. B Heat get knocked out by Posse

It was not meant to be for this year’s Lakeland Jr. B Heat, but a young team found a way to compete against some of the best in the province.

The Heat met the Parkland Posse in a best-of-three battle last weekend. Game 1 went Parkland’s way by an 11-7 score. The Heat stormed back in Game 2 with a 9-5 comeback victory to force a third game decider.

But it wasn’t in the cards for this year’s team. Game 3 went to the Posse in a 10-8 final.

Coach Daryl Hodinsky was emotional after the comeback victory in Game 2.

“Today we played our game and when we do that, no one can touch us,” he said.

“They’re an awesome group of boys.”

There was many successes for this year’s team.

They went 9-5 over the course of the schedule in a difficult division where all four teams finished above .500. The Heat also went on a seven game winning streak during the season, overcoming a 0-3 start.

There is just one player who ages out from this year’s club, showing how well a young team did with many players out of lacrosse for a couple years due to COVID.

Danik Becotte, the team’s captain, will not return as an overager.

Many good building blocks are put in place though for the Heat to come back even stronger next year.