The BX Pub Bandits realize the task at hand.
They know the undefeated Westwood Sports Pub Devils are all that stands in the way of the Prince George Senior Lacrosse Association playoff championship.
Considering how dominant the Devils have bee,n it's a formidable task indeed.
The Bandits advanced to the league final Wednesday night with an 11-8 win over the Quesnel Employment Services Crossfire, completing a three-game sweep in the best-of-five semifinal series.
Jake McIntosh, 16, In his first PGSLA playoff game, lit it up with four goals and three assists to lead the Bandits. His 16-year-old midget A2 Posse teammate Andrew Heitman also had a productive evening with two goals and two assists in his first senior game.
Other Bandits who got themselves on the scoresheet were Steven Kidwell (two goals two assists), Drew Doig (1g 4a), Cameron Prouse (1g) and midget callup Bobby Legare (1g).
Hunter McSeveney paced the Crossfire attack with three goals. Devin Whalen (2g 2a), Chase Ballendine (1g 1a), J.T. Moore (1g), and Duncan Johnston (1g) also scored.
Bob Mills was a busy goaltender guarding the Crossfire nets, making 44 saves. Liam Miller stopped 22 shots for the Bandits.
The Devils appeared headed for a sweep in their best-of-five semifinal series, leading the Northland Nissan Assault 2-0 going into Thursday night's game at Kin 1. The Devils won the first game of the series 18-1 and followed that up Tuesday with a 14-1 victory over the short-staffed Assault, which had just seven players in the lineup in Game 2.
The Assault have been without forward John Makowsky, who finished third in league scoring in the regular season with 33 goals 24 assists and 57 points. Makowsky is currently attending a ski instructor's camp in Whistler.
Matt Rochon of the Cowboy Ranch Stylers captured the PGSLA scoring title with 47 goals 19 assists and 66 points in 12 games, followed by Doig, who totaled 27 goals and 61 points.
A win Thursday by the Devils would be their 40th straight triumph dating back to last season.
The best-of-seven league final series to decide who will raise the Dale Rolufs Memorial Trophy is scheduled to begin Monday at 8 p.m. at Kin 1, with games to follow Wednesday, Thursday and Monday, July 20. If Game 5 is needed it would be played Tuesday, July 21. Games 6 and 7, if necessary, are scheduled for Monday, July 27 and Tuesday, July 28.
