Kelowna Raiders look to continue strong season

After two years of cancelled lacrosse, the Kelowna Raiders, of the Thompson-Okanagan Senior Lacrosse League (TOSLL), were on the floor in full force for the 2022 season.

That’s something Raiders captain Andrew Garant and the rest of the team was excited for.

“We didn’t have any lacrosse during COVID at all. It was two blank years for all of lacrosse Canada wide,” he told Kelowna10. “We were extra hungry to win this year because we haven’t played lacrosse in three years.”

Not only did they get to play, but the team also finished the regular season undefeated, with an 8-0 record. They finished as the team with the fewest goals allowed (37), most goals scored (101), and the most penalty minutes (158).

In July, the team captured its first Rowcliff Cup since 2014, after a best of three series against the Kamloops Rattlers went the distance. The Raiders won game three 16-9.

Garant described the team as a hard working, filled with grit, speed, and all-around completeness, backed by a roster deep with professional and national experience.

“Everyone bought into our system, and we wanted to change some things up from the past,” he said. “We brought in some young players which was nice, and I think the work ethic everyone brought, and dedication made it simple on the leadership end.”

For Cory Seinger, he said it was great to get back playing with a strong team on and off the floor, and ultimately share the success with everyone.

“You always want to perform for your team, of course, but it’s more for our community,” he said. “A lot of kids come out to the games, the parents, we’re so involved in it that we want to win for everybody. We want to bring that cup back home for Kelowna, and we want the city of Kelowna to be proud.”

Aside from their play on the floor, the team is heavily involved in the community, working alongside Kelowna Minor Lacrosse, in helping grow the sport in the Okanagan.

“We do a lot of our own time and stuff for the community. We work closely with the minor lacrosse association, we coach the B.C. Summer Games, Team B.C., we had a big outpouring of people and support this year,” Seinger said. “We’ve got guys coaching the junior team, we go out to practices, if the league asks anything for us, a couple of guys will always show up and run the kids and show them some new things.”

The Raiders will look for their first Alcan Cup title starting Aug. 19.