Burrards carry chip after early-season sanctions

Photo by Darryl Smart

After the Maple Ridge Burrards took Game 2 of the Mann Cup with a convincing 13-9 win over the Six Nations Pro-Fit Chiefs Saturday, head coach Rob Williams couldn’t help but reflect about his team’s journey to the national senior men’s lacrosse championship. 

It’s certainly warranted, especially since nobody thought the Burrards would get this far.

At one point this season, they almost didn’t get the opportunity to play for the Western Lacrosse Association championship, let alone upending the defending Mann Cup champion Victoria Shamrocks.

“It did definitely motivate us,” Williams said. “We had lots to prove to the people that had lots to say about us being the (Burrard Street) Bullies. But we’re a very skilled team too. There’s lots of talent on this team. So yeah, that motivated us for sure.”

On June 8, the WLA did more than slap the Burrards on the wrist for what it felt was inappropriate behavior on the floor. A written resolution, signed by six of the seven governors of the WLA, each representing a team in the league, forced the Burrards to post a $25,000 surety bond with the league.

The terms of the bond required the Burrards to comply with the 2016 WLA Operating Policy, and receive no further suspensions or fines arising from fighting-related incidents.

If they did, their season was done.

“Now that we’re here, maybe it was partially good for us,” Williams said. “But a lot of it, honestly, if you’ve been around lacrosse for a while, in my mind, it was pretty ridiculous.”

The WLA’s ruling came on the heels of a May 29, 2016 game between the Burrards and Burnaby Lakers. During that game, 16 penalties (one minor, eight majors, seven game misconducts) were assessed related to an incident with 15 seconds remaining in overtime.

According to the WLA, this wasn’t an isolated incident.

“Starting from that game (May 29), the Governors reviewed videos and game sheets of six additional games since 2013 in which the commissioner suspended Burrards players for fighting or unsportsmanlike conduct,” the WLA release said. “All seven games included in the review occurred while the Burrards were at home, and five of the games’ incidents were within the last five minutes of play in the final period, after a point where any reasonable lacrosse fan would consider the game decided.”

Despite the off-floor battle with its league, the Burrards forged on. They won that May 29 game, the second of the season, 6-4. Before the decision was made by the WLA, they were 4-0, and won again the day after the ruling was released.

But the next month the Burrards went 2-4-1, before gaining a full head of steam en route to the WLA title.

“We were 4-0 before the bond,” Williams said. “It was a rallying point, but it took a while to learn what level we can play at. What was acceptable in our league. As it turns out, I feel that it’s a lot cleaner here than it is at home.”

As for a chip on their shoulders, Williams said it may be there, but the real motivation is in the dressing room.

“The other thing that motivates us is this group,” Williams said. “This group has come along together for a long time. It’s a great team. Like I said the other night, everyone backs each other and supports each other. We have plenty of depth, so guys are coming in and out of the lineup and they all have each other’s backs. There’s nobody complaining about playing time. They’re a great group of friends and a family.”
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