Lilley, Thrashers Deem Season A Success
Photo by Jocelyn McLaughlin/ CKSN.ca
Gord Lilley, General Manager and Head Coach of the Wallaceburg Thrashers Sr. B Lacrosse Team, sat down with the 99.1 and TVCogeco C-K Sports Talk team on Monday night to chat about their inaugural season. Despite a 2-14 season, Lilley knows looks can be deceiving.
“I feel our record doesn’t match our performance throughout the season,” Lilley told CK Sports Talk, “This year was a building year. But, as the season progressed, we started forming a chemistry. We will be a very different team next year.”
When Tye Belanger, a member of the pro lacrosse club The New England Black Wolves, proposed the idea of moving the Sarnia Beavers to Wallaceburg at a Red Devils meeting, everyone was excited. The idea seemed feasible and the plan was set in motion. Gord told CK Sports Talk how passionate Belanger was about bringing a senior team to Wallaceburg. Belanger wanted everyone to know how much Wallaceburg loves lacrosse, and I think it’s pretty obvious said Lilley.
Lilley added that Senior ‘B’ lacrosse is much different than junior in the respect that you’re playing against men with 20 plus years of lacrosse experience. That’s why strong recruiting is a key component for most teams. But the Thrashers aren’t most teams. Whether you’ve played against Wallaceburg, with them, or even sat in the stands you know lacrosse is a way of life in Wallaceburg.
Lilley exlained that players were calling the brass of the Thrashers organization asking to play . “Players want to play for us. Even our junior games rival big urban centres like Orangeville, Owen Sound and even Six Nations. Players love the atmosphere in Wallaceburg.”
Kyle Childerhose led the Thrashers in points and assists with 24 assists and totaling 38 point in his 12 games played. Clint Lamarsh found twine 19 times in his 15 games played, enough to lead the team in scoring. Local MMA Fighter Jesse Gross racked up 84 PIMS and 2 assists.
The 2-14 Thrashers, which were formally the Sarnia Beavers after a successful relocation to Wallaceburg, ended their season on a high note stealing a win from the fifth place Oakville Titans 10-7. William Trudeau led the offensive charge scoring 2 goals and 4 assists. Clint Lamarsh added 1 goal and 3 helpers, while Reid Miller lit up the light twice.
Gord Lilley and the Wallaceburg Thrashers deemed this season a success. They will use this season as a stepping stone to help pave the way for the future development of this program. Thrashers executive’s will begin a strong recruitment campaign and will begin to plan for next season.
To catch more CK Sports Talk, tune that dial onto 99.1 CKXS Mondays at 6:10 p.m. Make sure you check your local TVCogeco listing for more of Gord Lilley and CK Sports Talk!