Tom Makowsky shed 30 years off his real age Wednesday night on the lacrosse floor at Kin 1.
After threading the needle for the first three goals of the game against the Cowboy Ranch/Regional Security Stylers, the 55-year-old Makowsky started to feel like the scoring star he used to be when he was a twenty-something talent in the early '80s in the North Central Lacrosse Association.
That feeling stuck with him for the entire game Wednesday.
Makowsky finished with five goals and an assist for the Northland Nissan Assault in a 13-9 triumph over the Stylers, which evened the Assault's second-place record in the Prince George Senior Lacrosse Association.
It was a magical night for Makowsky, who picked up the scoring slack for the Assualt with top snipers Davey Jenkins and Craig Dunfield unavailable due to work commitments.
"We've kind of had a short bench all year and when those guys aren't there you try to go out and manage the best you can," said Makowsky. "I'll probably be back to my usual supporting role dishing the ball around, but for one night it was a real thrill. Everybody on the team worked really hard but I just happened to be one picking the spots."
The Assault led 6-4 after one period and 10-6 after two. With only five defensive players and six offensive players in the lineup, the Assault strategy was to bring the ball up the floor slowly or whenever possible utilize the fast-break, long-bomb passing ability of goalie Russill Mills to try to slip behind enemy lines.
"By default I had the chance to play the point and right off the bat I had some open looks and the stick was working well and I was just able to pick some corners," Makowsky said.
"I scored the first three goals [by the eight-minute mark] and I don't ever remember that happening, even in minor lacrosse. The lacrosse gods were smiling on me. The stick felt good, the ball was dropping for me and everybody was working hard and the energy was kind of contagious."
John Makowsky, Tom's 22-year-old son, picked up three goals and four assists for a seven-point night, right-hander Josh Kelly struck for three goals and four assists and first-year phenom Jordan Angove made use of his blinding speed enough times to give Stylers goalie Kyle Wilson fits.
"It was awesome seeing him return to his old form," said John Makowsky. "I've heard stories about how he used to take the shots from up high and pick his spots and that's what he did [Wednesday] night.
"That scoresheet is going up on the refrigerator for sure."
Tom, now in his 22nd year as a teacher in Prince George, just accepted a new job as principal of Nukko Lake elementary school, after two years as vice-principal at Quinson elementary. He got back into lacrosse in 2008 when John was drafted by the Assault and has played off-and-on in the senior league since then.
"It's a thrill, it's the highlight of my career," said Tom. "I said to him before, I wish I had the opportunity to play with him when I was 25 and in the prime of my career. It's so much fun when you've got your old speed. Last night, everything felt so comfortable it was like turning the clock back.
"Even though I'm not young anymore it was like having that game. Being able to feed off each other and have a great game with my son, it doesn't get any better than that."
Tom said the only thing that would have made the night better was if his oldest son Paul, 29, had been out there playing for the Assault. Paul lives in Vancouver and Tom is hoping the three of them will hook up for the senior C provincial championship in Prince George, Aug. 15-17.
The Assault (5-5) finishes out the regular season on Monday at 8 p.m. at Kin 1 against the undefeated (11-0) Westwood Pub Devils.
"The Devils are so strong and for us to match up at all we have to have all hands on deck," said Tom. "They roll three strong lines and I would say, man for man, this is probably the strongest lineup we've seen in the league for a number of years. It will be a real challenge for anybody to take them down."
The Assault is scheduled to play next Thursday against the Quesnel Crossfire at Kin 1 but Makowsky says the Quesnel team has folded and that game will not be played.
