Forced out of their usual home arena for the 2014 season, the Delta Islanders seem poised to enjoy their first full BC Junior A Lacrosse League (BCJLL) season in the Sungod Arena in North Delta.
The Islanders topped the Nanaimo Timbermen 18-12 in the first game of the BCJLL season Saturday night in Sungod, the first of 11 games in their new home.
The Ladner Leisure Centre was the main home of the Islanders in past seasons, but construction to repair a wall which collapsed last Feburary has closed the arena for the summer.
Although forced to move north for the season, the Islanders will continue call Sungod home on a part-time basis in future seasons.
“We’re an all-Delta organization,” said Islanders governor Gary McBride. “That’s why we played two games out of the Sungod Arena last season. It helps promote the game in Delta.
“And starting next season, we will be playing regular season games in Ladner and playoff games in Sungod. That will certainly help grow the game.”
A team that has hopes of playing in the Minto Cup national championship in late August at the Langley Events Centre, the Islanders survived a quick start by Nanaimo to wear down the visitors.
The Islanders scored three times in a 77-second span and led 3-2 after just three minutes of play. Delta responded with four consecutive tallies and were up 7-5 after one period, and took a 10-6 lead by the midway point of the game.
Eli McLaughlin scored four times and assisted on four other goals while Jayden Campbell also netted four goals and collected three assists to lead the Islanders offense.
Jonathan Phillips had a hat trick, Mike Henry, Connor Davidson and Jordan Traversy notched two goals each and Evan Messenger contributed with a single to complete the Delta scoring.
Delta outshot the Timbermen 57-46. Ryland Hood was in goal for Delta, making 34 saves.
The Islanders will play their first road game of the season tomorrow (Wednesday) night against the Coquitlam Adanacs, before their next home game on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. against the Port Coquitlam Saints in the Sungod Arena.