Cudas beat Rebels in Cindy Garant Memorial Game

By Lethbridge Herald on June 13, 2022.

By Justin Seward

The Lethbridge Barracudas Tier 1Junior B lacrosse team  held on to beat the Fort Saskatchewan Rebels 15-11 in the Cindy Garant Memorial Game at Nicholas Sheran Arena on Saturday.

The victory didn’t come easy as the Cudas had to bear down in the final frame as they  saw their 10-3 dissipate by the end of the second period to 10-9.

“I mean the game of lacrosse is a game of runs,” said Cudas head coach Darren Andre.

“We were on the giving end at the start of the second and then we were on the receiving end in the second half. What I’m happy about is our third period response — our defence broke down at the end of the second and they locked down the third period. They got two in the last 20 and (our defense) stepped up; they were heroes of the third, no doubt about that.”

Andre preached to his players during the 10-minute intermission at the end of the second period that the players had to get back on the run.

“For us, we know that we’re the more skilled team and when you give up six goals in seven minutes at the end of the second, that’s because you’re losing battles,” he said.

“They wanted it more than us at the end of the second. So at the intermission, that was our focus,we get back out there and we’ve got to take pride in the little things. The turnovers, the loose balls, the drop passes — everything little thing matters.”

The game had a high level of physicality and emotions to it and the Cudas ultimately withstood the Rebels style of play.

“Yeah, I mean hats off to the players,” said Andre.

“I don’t think anybody can take credit but every individual in that jersey. They were a big, fast, physical team and emotions got high for a bit there and our response was not to get sucked into it, but rise above it and that dictated the score in the final.”

Cudas captain Jaxon Geddes led the way with six goals and three assists on the night and it appeared he had a target on his back  all night and kept his composure by not dropping the gloves late in the game.

“That’s why he’s our captain and they were targeting him,” said Andre.

“There was all kinds of cheap stuff happening to him and he rose above it. I mean that’s why he’s the captain. You lead by example, right. If he handles that differently, that’s probably a different third for us. But hats off to both of our captains for rising above it.”

Co-captain Mark Federkeil said it was electric both ways.

“Yeah, I think we battled really well especially on things like turnovers, loose balls (and) faceoffs —  where it’s maybe the most gritty sometimes — I think we came through really well,” said Federkeil.

Federkeil said you always have to be ready on offense to take some punishment every shift in order to go through the middle.

“Yeah, big thing is you just got to take it on the wrists and be ready for next shift, move the ball and have some support and work around that way “ he said.

Colby Lockard and Adam Kennedy had two goals apiece in the game while Federkiel, Damen Demers, Nathan LeRoy, Kaelen Snee and Jayden Richards each recorded a goal each in the win.

 Cindy Garant was a dedicated and passionate contributor to the southern Alberta lacrosse community and passed away from cancer in 2011.

Between the now defunct senior  CPioneers team and  the Barracudas, her legacy has lives on through a memorial game for nine years.

“I grew up with Cindy,” said Andre.

“This is such a huge night because she was such an incredible person. You know  and we wouldn’t be in the position we are in Lethbridge and southern Alberta without her. So we had the opportunity to honour her memory tonight like this. We want to do everything we can to make it the best.”

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