Skip to content

Lions tackle Commandos for first playoff win

The St. Paul Lions handed the team’s first play-off opponent, the Wainwright Commandos, a sound defeat by a score of 29 – 19 last Friday afternoon at home.
Dale Krankowsy (center) is stopped by three Wainwright Commandos during the Lions’ opening playoff game against the Commandos on Friday afternoon. The Lions won by a
Dale Krankowsy (center) is stopped by three Wainwright Commandos during the Lions’ opening playoff game against the Commandos on Friday afternoon. The Lions won by a score of 29-19.

The St. Paul Lions handed the team’s first play-off opponent, the Wainwright Commandos, a sound defeat by a score of 29 – 19 last Friday afternoon at home.

Both teams were at 19-19 at the end of the first half, and the Lions then kept the Commandos scoreless in the second half of the game to cruise to victory.

John Lumby, offensive coach of the Lions, was pleased with the outcome, and the effort put in by the team. “It was a great game … it’s what a play-off game ought to be.” Lumby further added, “Both offence and defence played great in the second half, and we got the job done.”

The home team boys scored the first two touchdowns of the game in the first quarter, and proceeded to score another touchdown in the second quarter. The Commandos replied with three touchdowns in the second quarter, but the failure to convert for more points for both teams made it a tied game going into the second half.

In the third quarter, Justin Smith, linebacker and safety for the Lions, contributed one of the biggest plays of the second half by intercepting a pass, which brought the momentum of the Commandos to a halt.

“We needed a momentum change, and you got to make the special plays when it’s the hardest,” commented Smith, adding, “I tried my best, and I played for the team … I think we united as a band of brothers.”

In the third quarter, the Lions scored a field goal for another three points. The Lions’ Mark Proskiw then scored the final touchdown of the game with 5:14 left in the third quarter, making the final tally 29 - 19 to seal the Commandos’ fate in the game.

“We played a good team in St. Paul,” commented Kurt Caron, head coach of the Commandos after the game, adding, “They hit hard, they’re strong, fast and well-organized.”

Todd Tanasichuk, the defensive coach of the Lions, commented that the Lions would have taken it to the Commandos in the game if not for Lions losing momentum defensively. “We just weren’t confident at the start in the first half.

“As we started to step up and played more physical football, we started to make plays and relaxed, and do what we’re supposed to do,” said Tanasichuk, “And defense played a much better second half for sure.”

Wayne Fiddler, Mark Proskiw, Dale Krankowsky, Stephan John, Philip Bergeron, Landon Ozga, Zachary Machura, Justin Smith and Jonathan Bowden were all given special mention by both coaches for their outstanding efforts.

The team will be kicking off against the Lloydminster Composite Barons in an away game this Friday afternoon.

“We need to be willing to fight to the very last man … if we go in with the attitude that we’re going to make it hard for them to beat us, then good things can happen,” said Tanasichuk.

push icon
Be the first to read breaking stories. Enable push notifications on your device. Disable anytime.
No thanks