The Mister Transmission Orillia Kings will play for their season on Saturday night.
After losing Game 3 on Tuesday evening, the Jr. B Kings trail in the best-of-five second-round series with Orangeville 2-1.
The Kings' dug themselves a hole early in the series, losing Game 1 by a single goal at Rotary Place in west Orillia.
Leading goal scorer Colsen Maracle says the team is still kicking themselves for the loss after taking a 7-4 lead into the third period.
"We had our ups and downs in that game," he said. "We definitely got into some penalty trouble, and they capitalized on it."
Maracle says Orillia would have been on the wrong side of a blowout in Game 1 if it wasn't for goaltender Quinton Greenfield, who stopped 37 shots on goal in the contest.
"At the end of the game we were just gassed and got out of our element," he said. "We weren't playing how we were before, and it came back to bite us."
The Kings regrouped on Sunday, beating the Northmen 9-7 in Orangeville.
"We played as a team," he said. "Our chemistry was on point, and everybody was having fun."
Maracle, 18, says the playoff nerves seemed to subside in Game 2.
"In Game 1 we really didn't know what to expect," he said. "Once we settled into Game 2, we were ready to go. We showed them what Orillia is made of."
On Tuesday night, the Kings fell in Orangeville 12-9. The Northmen controlled the pace of play from the opening face-off.
"Our team looked a little sluggish, slow, and tired," he said. "We aren't used to making it this far into the playoffs, so it's a bit of a learning curve."
Maracle, an Orillia native, says he still believes in his squad to win the series and they plan on capitalizing on having four days to regroup.
"I think we will be ready to go," he said. "We are up against great competition, but we are going to go full tilt, give it our all, and hopefully, come away with the victory."
Maracle is tenth in the Ontario Lacrosse Association in playoff points. He attributes his success to his teammates.
"The defence has done a great job getting the ball up the floor to us on offence," he said. "Everyone is helping each other big time. Everybody is playing amazing."
Maracle is now in his third season with the Kings, he believes the organization is only scratching the surface of its potential.
"I knew we could be a winning team all along," he said. "We just had to find that gear."
After this season, Maracle plans on playing two more seasons with the Kings. He sees multiple Founders Cup Canadian championships in the future for the organization.
"I think the success of this season is going to make kids want to come play for us," he said. "Younger kids who look up to us are going to want to keep playing. It's such a big season for the whole organization."
Maracle asks Kings fans to bring the energy to Rotary Place on Saturday night when the game kicks off at 7 p.m.
"We need a packed barn," he said. "We need everybody in the crowd to be loud, it definitely impacts the game."
