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Predators dish out the hardware

Jul 13, 2011 | 10:39 AM

The Prince Albert Predators reflected on their season and celebrated individual accomplishments at their team banquet Tuesday.

The Predators chewed through the competition winning the regular season with an unbeaten record, but their regular season success failed to turn into a Prairie Gold Junior Lacrosse championship.

The top seeded Predators beat Estevan 11-1 in the quarterfinals, but were stunned 9-4 by the defending league champion Regina Riot in the semi-finals.

“We had one bad period,” said Dave Werrett, head coach.

I was caught by surprise when they shortened their bench in the second, said Werrett, who felt he was out coached.

“Before I knew it they had three goals up. The bench panicked a little bit and we just kind of never got back into it.”

Our second period we fell apart, the whole team. Everything went wrong, bounces didn’t go our way we couldn’t catch a break,” said team captain Cody Folstad, who played his last game as a junior.

The deficit was not insurmountable, we just ran into a hot goaltender, said Werrett who was still pleased with how his team preformed.

“The goalie was outstanding in third — we couldn’t come back.”

The loss was especially painful for the veterans who won’t be returning next season, Werrett said.

“It was very disappointing, three graduating players they’re moving on to senior. It (was) pretty tough for them. They wanted to win for the team and Prince Albert.”

Despite a disappointing finish, Werrett said the team is set up well for the future.

“We’re only losing three and I hope (the rest) all come back. It’s a very young team mostly 17 year olds playing against 20 and 21 year olds and I think we will be very competitive next year.”

The team handed our eight awards during their banquet Tuesday at the Prince Albert Golf and Curling Club.

Team Awards:

Inspirational award: Tanner Corriveau
Sportsman: Greg Pearse
Most Improved Player: Brady Fetch
Rookie of the Year: Brady Leachman
Loose ball award: Sawyer Lange
Top Defensive player: Brant Frenette
Top Offensive player: Matt Anholt
MVP: Cody Folstad

bbosker@panow.com