‘None of the rest of the league thought we even had a chance’: Venom win TOJLL title

“Every team is so close in this league and that just made it so sweet,” Beckett Smigielski of the Venom said. “None of the rest of the league thought we even had a chance.”

Kamloops posted two wins – 16-9 over the No. 3 Cranbrook Blackwolves and 15-11 over the No. 2 Kelowna Kodiaks – and a 7-6 loss to the Reapers in round-robin action.

The Reapers – also 2-1 after round-robin play – carried a 3-1 lead into the first intermission of the title tilt.

“I think we came out a little slow and sloppy,” Venom head coach Kordell Primus said. “Going into the second I didn’t have much to say because I thought we were playing the better game. It felt like we were gripping the sticks a little too tight to start the game.”

Spencer Brown scored twice and Kieran Thibault added a single to keep the Venom within reach of the Reapers, who led 6-4 after the second stanza.

Primus said Venom goaltender Corbin Flundra had perhaps his best period of the season in the third frame, making several key stops while his club mounted a comeback.

“He was seeing the ball and it was hitting him square on the chest or the shoulders,” Primus said. “He had an 87 per cent save percentage, which is outstanding in box lacrosse.”

Venom danger man Seamus Bankier scored his second and third goals of the contest before deadline acquisition Taynon Charters tied the game at 7-7 with 10:43 remaining in the third period.

Mackenzie Adams sent the Kamloops bench into a frenzy exactly one minute later.

“He battled with injuries all year and for him to strip their captain and go down and score was amazing,” Smigielski said. “I didn’t think he was going to score because being a D-guy, you never have that … It was amazing. It was actually unbelievable and being on the floor for that was amazing.”

Tyson Von Hollen and Alex Von Hollen scored to give Kamloops a three-goal cushion and Borschowa iced the game with a short-handed marker.

“I really don’t remember a whole lot of the end of the game there,” Borschowa said. “Honestly, it was a lot of nerves, a lot of screaming on the bench.”

Evan Hartviksen and Kohen Pounder had two goals each for the Reapers in a losing effort, with Brayden Schwaerzle, Colten Colmgoren and Zack Milne adding singles.

Bankier (3), Brown (2), Borschowa, Thibault, Charters, Adams, Tyson Von Hollen and Alex Von Hollen had the goals for Kamloops.

Kamloops – which has claimed nine league championships since inception in 2008 – suffered defeat in the provincial final in 2022, 2023 and 2024.

The Venom will play host to the B.C. Junior Tier 1 Lacrosse Championship on August long weekend at Memorial Arena.

“It’s not very often you get to host a provincial championship or even make a provincial championship, so when we have that opportunity, I hope that everybody’s willing to come out and support the boys,” Primus said.

by Marty Hastings

‘None of the rest of the league thought we even had a chance’: Venom win TOJLL title

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