Vancouver Warriors win over Ottawa Black Bears to punch their ticket to the 2026 Playoffs

JEN FIELD/GATG

It was the Warriors St. Patrick’s night at Rogers Arena on March 20, and the green beer was flowing and the Irish music was pumping. The Vancouver Warriors had some late game goals to beat the Ottawa Black Bears 10-8, sweeping the season series and punching their ticket to the National Lacrosse League playoffs for the second consecutive season.

Adam Charalambides opened the scoring early for the home team, with the assist going to Keegan Bal and Brett Mydske. With the primary assist, Bal reached 100 points on the season.

Marcus Klarich scored the Warriors second goal of the game to take a 2-0 lead. The Black Bears then went on a three goal run, one of which was scored on the powerplay, to take a 3-2 lead over the Warriors. Before the quarter was up, Bal tied the game for a clean slate heading into the second quarter.

The Warriors took three penalties in the second quarter, and the Black Bears scored on the second one, their only goal of the quarter. On their third penalty kill of the quarter, fourth of the game, Jeff Cornwall scored a short-handed goal to tie the game.

Cornwall’s shorthanded goal was the only Warriors goal of the quarter, and the score was tied 4-4 at halftime.

The third quarter saw the Black Bears take three penalties, and the Warriors took full advantage, converting on two of them. As well, Bal scored his second of the night to take a three goal lead.

The Black Bears clawed back to get within one by the end of the third quarter, including a buzzer beater goal with two seconds left.

Not even a minute into the fourth quarter the Black Bears thought they tied the game, but the Warriors challenged the goal and won to keep the lead.

Right after winning the challenge, Charlambides scored his third of the game, to take an 8-6 lead.

The Warriors took another penalty in the fourth quarter, and the Black Bears took full advantage getting within one of the Warriors, and going three-for-five on the power play. They eventually tied the game, 8-8, at even-strength.

With just under 3 minutes left, Bal scored his third of the game, which became the game-winner. This was his eighth point of the night and 107th point of the season. Bal continues to chase career-heights and is now closing in on his previous career high, and Warriors franchise record, of 112 that he set last season.

To secure the 10-8 win, Curtis Dickson scored the empty-netter.

The Warriors are now headed back to the NLL playoffs, but still have three games left in the regular season.

They first travel to Buffalo to face the Bandits for the second time this season. They return to their own barn for the final two games of the season, taking on the Halifax Thunderbirds on April 10, and the Philadelphia Wings on April 18.

They now have a 4-3 record at home and will work to continue to improve that in their final two games in an attempt to secure home advantage in the playoffs.