The West Coast Senior Lacrosse Association semifinal series between the Valley Rebels and the Tri-City Bandits has produced compelling games, but the happenings in the boardroom might be even more interesting.
In the aftermath of the Bandits’ 7-5 victory in Game 3 last Wednesday, the Rebels lodged an official complaint with the WCSLA, charging that one of the officials assigned to the game plays for one of the Bandits’ feeder teams in Port Moody.
WCSLA commissioner Iris Parkyn initially ruled in the Rebels’ favour, and the two teams were set to replay Game 3.
But Tri-City appealed to the B.C. Lacrosse senior directorate, and at a hearing Tuesday evening, the initial ruling was overturned and Tri-City was awarded the victory.
Rebels coach Jim Nishiyama was none too pleased with the outcome of the boardroom drama.
“I don’t have any explanation for it,” he said. “It’s Tri-City. Everything goes in their favour, no matter what it is.”
The Bandits carry a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five series into Game 4 on Wednesday (8 p.m. at Burnaby Lake Arena). Game 5, if necessary, would run Thursday at North Surrey Rec Centre at 8 p.m.
The Rebels will be without starting goalie Matt Morehouse, after he injured his back at work. Backup Cam Janzen takes over between the pipes.
“It’s just a wicked turn of events,” Nishiyama said of the Morehouse injury. “He’s in the lumber business, and I guess he was lifting some wood with some other guys and his back just turned the wrong way.”