The Canadian Brewhouse Devils and BHL Bandits will meet to decide who gets to hoist the Dale Rolufs Memorial Trophy as champions of the Prince George Senior Lacrosse Association.
The Devils completed a two-game semifinal sweep of the Northland Nissan Assault Tuesday night at Kin 1, where they beat the Assault 11-7. Danton Nicholson led the way offensively for Canadian Brewhouse with three goals and two assists. Josh Mantler, the player of the game, had two goals and one assist, Nathanael McFadyen had a four-goal game and Dave Foley and Monty Jones also scored for the Devils.
Steve Moleski paced the Assault with two goals and three assists, Hayden Esopenko scored twice, Devin Porter and Doug Porter each contributed a goal and an assist, and Grayson Pament also had a goal and an assist.
Steven Brizan made 43 saves in net for the Brewhouse gang. His Assault counterpart, Russill Mills, had a much busier night, making 62 saves, 28 of which came in the third period.
The Devils won the opening game of the series 12-11.
They’ll advance to play the Bandits in a best-of-five final series that starts Monday at 8 p.m. at Kin 1.
On Monday, the Bandits defeated the Mackenzie Conifex Power Lumberjacks 24-8 on Monday to win that semifinal series 2-0. Leading the Bandits was Brett Barwise, who had a 13-point game with nine goals and four assists. Patrick Griffiths collected two goals and nine assists Carson Cote had four goals and three assists, Drew Doig scored three and Brock Paciejewski also found the net.
Kevin Patenaude made 16 saves in the Bandits’ nets. Ainslee Rushton blocked 25 shots for Mackenzie.
The Bandits took the first game of the semifinal 19-6.
Canadian Brewhouse won the regular season title with an 11-1 record and finished two points ahead of the Bandits (10-2).
Games 2 and 3 of the final series are scheduled for next Wednesday and Thursday. If Game 4 is needed that would be played on Monday, July 18, with Game 5, if needed, set for Tuesday, July 19.
The Devils have won the playoff title five of the past six years it was contested. The Bandits dethroned the two-time defending champion Devils in 2016 and the Devils won the title the next three years. There was no league play in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic.
