WARRIORS FACE BLACK WOLVES: This game will wrap up the second third of both team’s schedule…and both teams are in 4th place in their divisions with different paths taken. Vancouver is tied for the final playoff spot but owns the tiebreaker over the Colorado Mammoth thanks to the Warriors OT win 11-10 back on January 26th. New England is in the hunt for first through fourth in the hotly contested East Division. While 7-4 would lead the West, the Pack’s record has them 4th, with a win vaulting them into second with a little scoreboard help.
MAKE NO BONES ABOUT JONES: Warriors forward Mitch Jones has surged to the top of the scoring leaderboard for the Warriors and now is 12th in the NLL scoring derby with 55 points through 11 games played. Jones has 24 goals and 31 assists on the season. Last year, Jones had career highs with goals, assists and points (38-43-81). The Ladner BC product is on pace to equal or better his totals from 2018.
PENNEY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS: What can you say about Eric Penney. Well start with this; Penney leads the NLL in goals against average (9.81) and 3rd in save percentage (.790). Penney’s play has been a marked improvement from his career numbers, where his goals against average is right now nearly 5 goals better this season than over his entire career. They say goalies get better with age and experience, Penney will be the first to tell you that his defense has been outstanding in front of him as well.
HE AIN’T HEAVY, HE’S OUR BAL-LER: Keegan Bal and his righty teammate Jordan McBride are rounding into form and allowing the Warriors to attack from all sides. Bal notched a ten-point evening with six goals and four helpers, to help rout the San Diego Seals 14-6 on February 8th. Bal’s six goals nearly doubled his season total, as he now has 15 goals and 27 assists for 42 points. Jordan McBride is right with his pick and roll partner, with 22 goals and 12 assists from the right side for 34 points.
WARRIORS RECORD WHEN:
Leading after 1st 0-1 Tied at Halftime 0-1 Trailing after 3rd 2-5
Leading at halftime 1-1 Tied after 3rd 0-0 Outshoot opponent 2-4
Leading after 3rd 1-2 Trailing after 1st 1-6 Outshot by opponent 1-4
Tied after 1st 2-0 Trailing at Halftime 2-5 Shots tied 0-0
IT’S IN THE FAMILY: The Warriors have two sets of family members playing for them. Zack and Colton Porter are lacrosse playing brothers from Chilliwack BC while Dallas and Nate Wade are cousins from Victoria BC.
IN THE WATER: The Vancouver Warriors have all but two players now living in the Province of BC permanently. Five players currently reside in New Westminster, while three are in Victoria.
NEXT UP: The Warriors face their division rivals, the Colorado Mammoth in a crucial home and home series next weekend, with Vancouver hosting Friday night’s affair at Rogers Arena on Mar 22nd, while the Mammoth return the favor, hosting the Warriors on Saturday night at the Pepsi Center in Denver. For tickets to all Warriors home games, please visit www.vancouverwarriors.com/tickets or call 604-899-7799.
