Tyson Black, Adam Golia and Colin Winship spurred a five-goal comeback in just four last Friday as the undermanned Cowichan Valley Thunder edged the Saanich Tigers 13-12 to capture the Vancouver Island intermediate B lacrosse championship.
With just 13 runners available because of a variety of other commitments, the Thunder managed to pull off the sweep, having annihilated the Tigers 23-4 in the first game of the series last Tuesday. Down by four goals with less than seven minutes to play, the Thunder found a way to bounce back and prevent a third game.
"This core of these players that I've been fortunate enough to coach have done this type of thing for as long as I can remember," coach Lorne Winship said. "They have an uncanny way of finding ways to win. They are more than the sum of their parts."
The score was tied 5-5 after the first period and 7-7 after the second. Saanich pulled ahead early in the second and held a 12-8 advantage with time getting tight.
That's when the big guns went to work. Golia set up Black twice, then scored back-to-back goals of his own from Colin Winship and Mitch Page, respectively. Finally, Golia fed Winship for the winner with less than two minutes and 52 seconds left on the clock, and the Thunder held on for the win.
When the dust settled, Black ended up with seven goals and one assist, Golia had two goals and five helpers, and Winship had five assists to go with his game-winner. Brandon Corby added two goals and two assists, and Page had one of each. Dallas McLaughlin played a solid game in net.
The Thunder will head to Richmond to represent the Island in the provincial tournament on Aug. 1-4, along with two teams from the Mainland and one from the Interior.