Definition of Spoiler: One who or that which causes to spoil.
That’s the role Pacific Tyee are hoping to play Saturday evening at Westhills Stadium when they meet Ontario Blues in their only home game of the CRC season. Game time is 7 p.m.
With no hope of realizing a winning season, the 1-3 Tyee can make their last game an important one by downing the defending champion Blues. The Blues currently sit second in CRC standings with a 2-1 record. The leaders are Prairie Wolf Pack at 3-1.
There are still several scenarios on how the title package plays out but the Pack meets third place Rock in Calgary shortly before the Tyee-Blues kickoff Saturday night.
The simple format: If the Pack defeat Rock and Tyee beat back Blues then it’s all over, Pack take home the MacTier Cup. And a Tyee win and Rock loss would also propel the Vancouver Island team into third place.
That’s the goal for Tyee coach John MacMillan who saw his team defeat Blues 36-31 on September 1 for their lone win of the season, a game that saw the lead change seven times.
“They’ll (Blues) definitely be out to even things up,” said MacMillan. “They think we were just lucky to beat them two weeks ago. So it just adds more fuel to the fire in what is a great rivalry between Ontario and BC.”
MacMillan also stated one-third of his lineup will be different from the one that defeated Blues and will include national players Phil Mack, Harry Jones, Brodie Henderson and Connor Braid.
The club will also utilize five members of the national under 20 team.
It should be an exciting match.
Tickets for the game are available at the front desk of Eagle Ridge Arena at City Centre Park or at the gate on game day, Adults $12 and Youth $6.
Pacific Tyee Line Up
1. Anthony Luca Burnaby Lake RC Pitt Meadows BC
2. Micha Govorchin Burnaby Lake RC North Delta, BC
3. Cole Racine James Bay AA Markham, ON
4. Luke Campbell UVIC Vikes Victoria BC
5. Aaron Flagg Abbotsford RFC Abbotsford, BC
6. Alex Boyd Maralomas RC Winnipeg MB
7. Jonathan Hill UBCOB Ravens Edmonton AB
8. Callum Morrison James Bay AA Victoria BC
9. Phil Mack UVIC Vikes Victoria, BC
10. Connor Braid James Bay AA Victoria, BC
11. Conrad Rybkowski Abbotsford RFC Abbotsford, BC
12. Brodie Henderson Chilliwack RFC Chilliwack BC
13. Mike Fuailefau Castaway Wanderers RC Victoria BC
14. Clayton Meeres Abbotsford RFC Chilliwack, BC
15. Harry Jones Capilano RC Vancouver, BC
16. Noah Barker James Bay AA Courtenay BC
17. Andrew Lackner Burnaby Lake RC Pitt Meadows BC
18. Liam Chisholm UVIC Vikes Kenora, ON
19. Will Campbell UVIC Vikes Toronto ON
20. Cody Rockson Bayside RC Langley BC
21. Pat Kay Cowichan RFC Duncan, BC
22. Bryan Tyree Meraloma RC Vancouver, BC
Ontario Blues Line Up
1. Doug Woolridge Lindsay
2. Ray Barkwill Niagara/Crusaders
3. Tom Dolezel London
4. Henry Mcqueen Balmy Beach
5. Scott Dunham Balmy Beach
6. John Moonlight Ajax
7. Alistair Clarke Crusaders
8. Tyler Ardron McMaster University
9. Jamie Mackenzie Oakville
10. Derek Daypuck London
11. Ryan Macsween Balmy Beach
12. Dan West Crusaders
13. Jordan Wilson-Ross Barrie
14. Dan Moor Balmy Beach
15. Ryan Tomlinson Barrie
16. Creag Johnston Toronto Scottish
17. JT Rowbotham Lindsay/Irish
18. Andrew Crow Balmy Beach
19. Gord Kehoe Barrie
20. Kyle Armstrong Ajax
21. Lucas Hammond Toronto Nomads
22. Rory Tomlinson Barrie
CRC Referee: David Smortchevsky
