By Drew Wilson

Predators hope to prey on Prairie Gold Jr. Lacrosse playoff opponents

Jul 6, 2011 | 8:13 AM

The unbeaten Prince Albert Predators hope to return from Moose Jaw this weekend with a Prairie Gold Junior Lacrosse Championship.

It's a single game elimination tournament beginning with a quarterfinal showdown Saturday morning against the eighth seeded Estevan Big Dogs. The Predators shifted their season into high gear the last time they played the Big Dogs.

Their 15-8 win on June 4 was a key part of a three game weekend sweep on the road, said Captain Cody Folstad.

“It was huge, everyone's confidence is high, everyone is playing good, shooting the ball well, passing the ball well, running well ever since and it's been paying off.”

Subtle changes in strategy also came together that weekend, said Coach Dave Werrett.

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“We were working our line changes. Line changes are so important in lacrosse to keep the boys fresh and to take away the fast break and we were able to work together and talk together. We had time to have little team meetings which we don't usually have time to have in Prince Albert, so we were able to work out some kinks.”

Werrett said that also set the stage for tweaks in their game plan responsible for the third period rally in a 9-5 win in Yorkton the next night.

Matt Anholt won the league scoring title by one point over Folstad with fellow veteran Sawyer Lange finishing fifth another five points back of the captain.

They are also among the leaders in the dressing room, said Werrett.

“The boys look up to them so what I ask them to do, the rest of the boys will follow. Our top scorers are our top leaders too.”

The Predators have earned the top seed with a record of 8-0-2 in the regular season which also leads to confidence. However, anything can happen when it only takes one loss to be eliminated. Confidence is good to a point, said Werrett.

“I hope they are not too confident. Even though we play and eighth place team you never know what might happen. The biggest thing I need to do is keep them focussed in that first game … win the game and stay out of the penalty box with no suspensions for the next game (semi finals).”

The Predators also won the regular season championship last season only to suffer an 8-5 overtime loss to the Saskatoon Smash in the playoff final. Werrett said they are working to make sure history doesn't repeat itself.

dwilson@rawlco.com