There was only one positive for the St. Albert Miners in Friday’s season opener in the Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League.
“We won,” stated Vay Diep, head coach of the senior B team.
A lack of floor time in the pre-season played a role in the Miners squeaking out a 13-12 decision against the Edmonton Outlaws, but Diep expected a better showing.
“We really didn’t play that well,” he said. “We weren’t sharp and it showed.”
The Miners led 3-1 after one period, 10-6 after two periods and tallied twice in the opening two minutes of the third before the Outlaws stormed back to pull even with six straight goals in a span of 11:06 minutes against netminder Grant MacLeod.
But with 2:08 to play, the second goal of the night by assistant captain Graedon Cornfield salvaged two points at Bill Hunter Arena.
Cornfield also picked up two assists for last year’s provincial finalists.
Jordan Cornfield racked up three goals and three assists and Sean Reid and captain Nate Schmidt had two goals and four assists apiece.
Chris Schmidt, Jason Riley, Steve Tessarolo and rookie Chad Gendall also scored.
“Our experienced guys took over for us at the end,” Diep said.
MacLeod started in net with all-star Dave Marrese, the third-string Edmonton Rush goalie, opting to play in the senior A Western Lacrosse Association circuit.
MacLeod, a league veteran and former Outlaw, dressed for seven games last year for the Miners.
“He had some good moments,” said Diep, noting MacLeod had practiced only twice prior to Friday’s tilt.
Diep is looking for a more polished performance from the Miners tonight against the Spruce Grove Slash. Ball drop is 8 p.m. at Northstar Hyundai Arena.
“I would like to see more flow offensively and a better all-around game.”
This weekend the Miners visit the Calgary Mountaineers on Saturday at 12 p.m. at Stu Peppard Arena and the Okotoks Raiders on Sunday at 12:30 p.m.
