NLL Insider

It’s time to hit the old dusty trail for my summer scouting tour.  Last Wednesday, after having a quick meeting with our owner in Boston, I flew to Vancouver and caught a quick connector to Victoria, B.C., to catch the New Westminster Salmonbellies take on the Shamrocks in a classic WLA Senior matchup. 

With Boston’s Expansion Draft coming up next Thursday, I am trying to take in as many games as possible.  One last look at current NLL players left unprotected, while at the same time keeping my eyes open for potential free agents.

The week’s game schedule has gone down like this:

7/9 SR A - New West 13 at Victoria 9
7/10 U19 World Semi’s Iroquois 12 at Canada 23
7/11 SR A - Maple Ridge 6 at Burnaby 9
7/12 U19 Consolation England 10 at Iroquois 19; U19 Finals Canada 12 at USA 19; JR A Playoffs Nanaimo 7 at New West 16
7/13 JR A Playoffs PoCo 4 at Burnaby 8
7/15 JR A Playoffs Burnaby 7 at PoCo 10
7/16 SR A Coquitlam at Victoria
7/17 SR A Barrie at Brampton
7/19 JR A Playoffs Burlington at Akwesasne; SR A KW at Akwesasne
7/20 SR A Brooklin at Peterborough
7/21 JR A either Brampton at Orangeville or KW at St Kits
7/22 JR A Six Nations at Peterborough (tentative)
7/23 SR B Owen Sound at Wellington
7/24 Blazers Expansion Draft

So far, the story has largely been the Gajic brothers.  Ilija scored 5 goals last Wednesday to pace New West.  Meanwhile, the highly touted Alex, who leads BC Jr A in points, has put up back-to-back lack luster performances in the first two games of the playoffs.  That despite being the biggest and most talented player on the floor.  He showed up late for the game on Sunday as he was rushing back from his father’s 60th Birthday fishing trip.  He took a knee in the quad half way through that game which may partially explain his tentativeness.  Last night, a young and gritty Saints team had their way with Burnaby.  Alex largely sat back and watched.

In the Maple Ridge vs. Burnaby game, Tommy Johnson led all scorers with 3 goals while Joel Dalgarno ran the Burrards offense with 2 goals and 3 assists.  Andrew “Dicky” Martin stood out on defense.  I don’t recall him wearing high black socks like in his Philadelphia Wings days, but the hustle is still there.

Well, I’ve got to check out of my hotel and catch the ferry to Victoria.  The weather has been perfect, mid 80s … or should I say low 20s?  Not really a vacation in the sense that I sit in my hotel room all day and make calls and work the internet waiting for the game of the night.  Don’t get me wrong though, I am not complaining … I love it.

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