The Prince Albert Predators are the best in the west.
The Prince Albert Predators captured the MacDonald Cup gold medal with a 12-3 win over the Lakeland Heat at Centennial Regional Arena in Brooks, Alta on Sunday afternoon.
Head coach Lucas Wells says the Predators were feeling confident but not arrogant heading into the tournament.
“Before the tournament started, we felt that we were the best team. I felt like we deserved to win and I think that we went on and proved we were the best team. We played all these Alberta teams that couldn’t hang with us five on five, so it’s nice to know that our hard work has paid off.”
It is the second banner of the season for the Predators as they took home the Prairie Gold Lacrosse League (PGLL) title at the end of last month. Prince Albert has gone undefeated in Tier II play with their only two losses of the season coming against the Queen City Kings when they attempted to play into the Founders’ Cup.
It was the second meeting of the tournament between Prince Albert and Lakeland. In round robin action, the Predators defeated the Heat 11-4.
Wells says it was special for the team to be able to have the privilege to say they won their final game of the season on two separate occasions.
“I think that any guy you talk to or any athlete you talk to, the individual accolades don’t mean anything if you don’t win the last game of the year. So it’s very special and I couldn’t be happier for the graduating class we have this year.”
After Michael Ryan would open the scoring for the Heat, the Predators would close the period with a pair of goals coming from Sam Cooper and Braxton MacAngus.
The Predator offense would explode for six goals in the middle frame, call coming even strength or on the power play.
In the third, Prince Albert would pull away with four unanswered goals.
“They are who we thought they were. We got into penalty trouble in the first, which kept it tight. Second period, we kind of locked it down, we weren’t taking as many penalties. It was exactly how I thought the game was going to go, to be very honest with you. I think that we played our game and didn’t allow them to stretch the floor, or get into any type of rhythm. They did win the Alberta Provincial League about a week and a half ago. It’s kind of nice to say that we’re the best team in both provinces.”
Talon Sandry led all Predators with seven points in the game. Brayden Rieger and Matthew Cudmore each added four while Ryler Prediger finished with three points.
Michael Ryan led all Lakeland scorers with three points. Ava Pinch made 53 saves on 65 shots for the Heat.
Mason Hawkes made 26 saves on 29 shots to earn the win in goal for the Predators.
The Predators came home with their fair share of individual hardware from the MacDonald Cup. Brayden Rieger took home tournament MVP honors, while Matthew Cudmore was named Top Offensive Player. Captain Davin Ikert was the lone first team all-star for Prince Albert. Sam Cooper and Mason Hawkes were named second team all-stars.
Wells says the entire event was very well organized and a pleasure for the team to attend.
“The entire time was phenomenal. The rink was phenomenal, the organization, if we had any questions, it was answered immediately. I have nothing but good things to say about the Southern Alberta Chaos and them hosting the tournament.”
sports@paherald.sk.ca
