The North Sask U13 Predators stand for a team photo with their historic silver medal at Box ‘A’ Provincials in Prince Albert on Thursday. (Javan Bexson/submitted photo)

By Logan Lehmann

History made

U13 Predators capture silver at ‘A’ Provincials, marks highest finish in P.A. Box Lacrosse history

Jul 5, 2024 | 6:00 PM

The North Sask U13 Predators wrote themselves into the Prince Albert history books on Thursday night.

The Saskatchewan Lacrosse Association’s (SLA) Box “A” Provincials were in Prince Albert for a one-day tournament and featured four of the top teams from across the province in three age groups, U13, U15, and U17.

Prior to this year’s championships, no North Sask Predators club from “A” U13-U17 has even made the gold medal game, but that all changed when the U13’s rallied their way into the finals.

“We played a tough Saskatoon team in the morning. We were down 2-1 in the third period and the team rallied and finished strong with a 4-2 win which launched us into the finals,” explained Head Coach Javan Bexson.

“We faced a tough Regina team in the final, they went undefeated all year. We started really strong against them and ended up losing 5-3, but we played well. We closed the gap on Regina from the start of the year – we were losing by six or seven goals and that last game only losing by two, even just being in the gold medal game was a huge win for us.”

Plans in place

Construction begins on permanent Humboldt Broncos memorial site

3h ago

Big Win Over La Ronge

North Stars shine against the Ice Wolves

7h ago

Highlight reel Hildebrand

Raiders fall in overtime following third period comeback versus Silvertips

10h ago

Despite the down end to the year, Bexson told his players following the game that they had no reason to hang their heads.

“Although it’s tough to lose in a gold medal game, a silver medal is nothing to scoff at and we can be proud that you were in that game and played so well.”

Following the season in the Sask U13 ‘A’ Box Lacrosse League, the Preds finished second out of four teams with a 10-5 record.

As for the other North Sask teams playing at the U15 and U17 level, the U15 Predators fell in their bronze medal match against Regina, while the U17’s captured bronze after falling in their play-in game against Saskatoon.

While the Box ‘A’ Provincials are now over, the Box House Provincials are just getting started.

Teams from across the province in the U13, U15, and U17 age groups are in Prince Albert this weekend to compete for Provincial glory. Games will be played at Kinsmen Arena and Dave G. Steuart Arena with a champion being crowned on Sunday.

—

loganc.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com