The Prince Albert Predators imposed their will over the Weyburn Razorbacks on route to a 33-5 win in Prairie Gold Lacrosse League action on Saturday night at the Kinsmen Arena.
Predator head coach Lucas Wells says it was a complete effort from Prince Albert offensively in the victory.
“Our offense was clicking on all cylinders. Some of our goals were just insane. Our defense, we kind of got lazy, but I mean that’s going to happen. I think in the first period we did the math, I think we figured out we played about two minutes of defense.”
Prince Albert would set the tone early taking a 13-2 lead after the opening twenty minutes. The Predators outshot the Razorbacks 37-7.
With another 13 goals in the second period and seven goals in the third, the Predators would pull away even further.
Brayden Rieger (nine goals, three assists), Chase Lehner (seven goals, four assists) and Matthew Cudmore (five goals, three assists) would lead the Predators offensively.
In goal, Liam Hamilton would make 17 saves on 22 shots to earn the win in his PGLL debut. Hamilton is the youngest goaltender to win his first career PGLL start at just 14 years old.
Wells says Hamilton was able to settle into the game as it went along.
“He was very nervous. After the first one went in, I wasn’t sure how he was going to respond. He was going to fold his tent or pitch it back up. He did a very good job, stopped a breakaway in the first, stopped a couple in the second, some more in the third. Just to get his confidence as the game grew, and he learned that it doesn’t have to rely on him all the time or defense is good enough to keep those outside shots, just make the saves you have. It was nice to see him grow into that role and become more calm and more confident.
Preds raise PGLL, MacDonald Cup banners
It was also a night of celebration for the Predators as the team unveiled their 2024 PGLL and MacDonald Cup championship banners in a pre-game ceremony prior to the game.
Several Predator alumni who were a part of last year’s team were in attendance including goaltender Mason Hawkes and defender Davin Ikert.
With a win at the MacDonald Cup last year, the Predators became the first Saskatchewan team to win a Western Canadian championship since the 1979 Biggar Roadrunners.
Prince Albert went undefeated in PGLL play in 2024 with their only two losses of the season coming against the Queen City Kings while attempting to qualify for the Founders’ Cup.
Wells says it’s important for the Predators to highlight the team’s alumni and recent past success.
“It’s very special, I think it’s very important to recognize where you came from, what that group has done, and we’re going to continue that tradition of celebrating our graduating players, celebrating our teams. Just doing the smaller things make these guys feel appreciated, let the fans know who they are, just the little things like that, I think it’s very important and it’s exciting to be able to see the banner.”
One portion of the pre-game ceremonies was a ceremonial faceoff performed by former Predator captain Davin Ikert, who aged out following last season.
In an interview with the Daily Herald, Ikert says he was glad to be able to be a part of a championship winning team.
“That’s a real special thing, especially being the first team out of Saskatchewan to win. That’s huge and just the support that came out and the upcoming team that’s going again. It’s awesome to see and just excited to see what comes.”
Ikert added that it was incredibly special to be a part of the celebration alongside several of his former teammates.
“It’s a surreal feeling, it’s a storybook ending. You want to go out with a bang and we definitely did and you couldn’t ask for a better way. It means a lot to all of us. I know there’s a couple guys that missed out and they all texted saying how bad they wanted to be a part of it. It’s sad that they’re not here, but it just means a lot that we’re still getting represented and that we’re still close with the team and it’s going to keep paying forward throughout the years.”
sports@paherald.sk.ca
