Mark MacLennan’s return to the Kelowna Raiders lineup did not bode well for the visiting Vernon Sr.Tigers as the Raiders won the Friday match 14 to 7. MacLennan’s outstanding offensive effort with 3 goals and two assists was matched by team mates Jarrett Neigum, 2 goals and 4 assists and Deryk McPhail’s 2 goal 2 assists performance.

 The Raiders took an early lead and never looked back. Their strong defence led by Scott Mazuren, Brody Daft and Mark MacLennan  shut down many offensive rushes by the Tigers and created many turn-arounds which the Raiders capitalized on. Shane Sargent had a strong game for Vernon scoring 3 of their 7 goals as did their goalie Iver Sandaker . The Raiders had a strong effort from all of their players at both ends of the rink. The two teams go at it again on Thursday next week in Vernon at the Westbild Center at 7:30 pm.

 By Warren Henderson – Kelowna Capital News
Published: April 25, 2010 1:00 PM
Updated: April 27, 2010 1:11 PM

After coming up short in their opener against Armstrong a week earlier, the Kelowna Raiders were in dire need of a confidence booster.

The four-time defending Okanagan Xtreme Lacrosse League champs got exactly that on Friday night in Kamloops with a thrilling, 10-9 overtime victory over the Rattlers.

Kelowna product Jarrett Neigum, who played last season in the WLA, notched the game winner as Kelowna fought back from a 9-7 deficit in the extra frame.

Neigum finished with two goals and two assists, while veteran Pho Heng paced the offense with four goals and an assist. Joe Brown added a goal and one helper, while Kyle MacLennan chipped in with four assists.

The Raiders were without veterans Ryan Spring and Mark MacLennan, and key rookie Braden Renner.

In addition, Kelowna is in the midst of a coaching transition as head man Gord Phillips is no longer behind the bench. He was suspended by the league last week for three games after being ejected from the season opener in Armstrong.

Phillips and the Raiders have since parted ways.

Longtime Raiders’ player and former captain Steve Begley is now coaching the club on an interim basis.

“With what happened with the coaching change I was a little worried about how the guys would come out on Friday, but they played just fantastic,” said Begley, who watched the Raiders overcome an early 5-1 deficit. “We had a short lineup and the odds were stacked against us. But our offense controlled the floor, and our defense came up big against Kamloops when they had to. Hopefully we can just concentrate on what we need to do from here on in and get back to playing the kind of lacrosse we’re capable of.”

The Raiders (1-1) return to action Friday when they host the Vernon Tigers, 7:30 p.m. at Memorial Arena.