Following a successful regular season, the Orillia Mister Transmission Kings are confident heading into the playoffs.
The Jr. B lacrosse team finished the regular season with a 15-5 victory over the Newmarket Saints on Saturday to bring its record to 10-10-0, placing it second in the Mid-East Division.
Now in his third full season with the Kings, captain Jack Marwick says the team showed a lot of growth this year.
"We had a lot more depth this year," he said. "We are all another year older, which helps, too."
Marwick tips his hat to head coach Jim Meredith for helping the team meet its goals this season.
"What makes Jim a good coach is how he interacts with his players," he said. "Rather than being demanding, he is very receptive to feedback and shows us how to improve."
Marwick says this year's Kings squad was more tightly knit than some of the previous groups.
"Our leadership team did a good job connecting our team and making rookies feel included," he said. "Our younger players were made to feel like a big part of the team, which gave them a lot of confidence."
The playoffs start Thursday with the Kings beginning a best-of-five series with the Halton Hills Bulldogs. The Bulldogs finished the regular season with a 15-4-1 record, placing first in the East-South Division.
"I think we have a shot to beat anybody," Marwick said. "We are excited to play against Halton Hills."
The Bulldogs were 2-0 against the Kings this season, defeating the Orillia squad 9-5 and 13-9.
"Every game we played against them was so close until the third period," Marwick said. "I think if we play a full game, we should be able to beat these guys."
He says the Kings will have to avoid the Bulldogs' strong power play if they want to get to the second round.
"Our penalty kill has been working to stop the plays that they have on their power play," he said. "We also have to capitalize more on our opportunities."
When Game 2 brings the series back to Orillia on Sunday, Marwick hopes to see a packed crowd at Rotary Place.
"I think that the atmosphere in the arena has an impact on how we play. The fans can make a difference," he said.
He expects the intensity and pace of the game to ramp up when the series begins Thursday in Halton Hills.
"It's going to be very rough and aggressive," he said. "I think we have the right guys for it."
Here is the full Round 1 schedule:
Thursday, June 20, 8 p.m. in Halton Hills
Sunday, June 23, 7 p.m. at Rotary Place in Orillia
Wednesday, June 26, 8 p.m. in Halton Hills
(If necessary) Friday, June 28, at Rotary Place
(If necessary) Sunday, June 30, in Halton Hills
