In the first season since 2019, the 91大黄鸭 Raiders are back in a big way thanks to their leading scorer Andrew Garant.

The Raiders are the only undefeated team in the Thompson-Okanagan Senior C Lacrosse League, sitting at 5-0. And they haven鈥檛 just been winning, they have been dominating, outscoring their opponents 76-27.

鈥淲e have a good core group,鈥� said Garant. 鈥淲e have everyone committed and we have a lot of experienced lacrosse players that played at high levels and that definitely helps. Guys were missing the game and I think we feel like we鈥檙e more hungrier than other teams.鈥�

Despite the pandemic delaying play for a couple of seasons, the majority of the team from 2019 is back on the 2022 roster.

Garant has been playing lacrosse since he was three years old and he couldn鈥檛 be more excited to be playing the game again after the two-year layoff.

鈥淚t鈥檚 been honestly so much fun,鈥� said Garant. 鈥淲ith COVID, we had to take two years off and I鈥檝e never had that in my life. It was definitely really weird to not be playing every summer.鈥�

Like a lot of people, Garant found it hard not being able to play the game he loves and scratch his competitive itch during the pandemic.

鈥淚t was honestly really tough,鈥� said Garant. 鈥淔or a lot of people, physical activity is a need and I found without the two years (with lacrosse), it was extremely tough for me.鈥�

In May 2021, just to get the chance to feel his competitive edge, Garant and a friend of his ran an ultra marathon (52 kilometres) from Vernon to 91大黄鸭.

鈥淲e just needed to let something out.鈥� said Garant.

That competitive edge is stronger than ever being able to play lacrosse again.

鈥淚鈥檓 really a competitive guy and I鈥檓 very fortunate to play at high levels of lacrosse but I think competitiveness is what really drives me to be on another level,鈥� said Garant.

He鈥檚 shown how much he has missed the game so far this season. In the five games the Raiders have played, he鈥檚 put up 52 points (31 goals, 21 assists), which by far leads the league. His 31 goals account for more than 40 per cent of the team鈥檚 goals. The next closest are two of his teammates who have 19 points each.

鈥淚t鈥檚 definitely some silly video games numbers,鈥� joked Garant. 鈥淣ot playing for two years, I had some points to catch up on.鈥�

The Ontario native was drafted to the Vancouver Stealth of the National Lacrosse League back in 2017 and spent that season on their practice roster. Following that, he played three seasons for the Langley Thunder senior-A.

After a great start to the year, the Raiders are at a strange point in their schedule where they have nearly a month off between games. They last played on May 19 in Vernon and don鈥檛 play again until June 10.

鈥淚t鈥檚 so weird, I actually don鈥檛 understand it,鈥� said Garant. 鈥淚 personally don鈥檛 like it, I feel like especially when we鈥檝e been in a groove.鈥�

The Raiders are at home at Rutland Arena for their game on June 10 against Vernon. Game time is 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 at the arena.

91大黄鸭 last won the TOSLL championship in 2014.

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jordy.cunningham@kelownacapnews.com
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