Victoria may have more rats than Duncan — according to a list released by a pest control corporation earlier this month — but the Cowichan Valley’s specimens are larger, and more vicious.
The Cowichan Rats made their debut in the Victoria Senior Lacrosse League last Thursday, playing to a convincing 12-3 victory over a shorthanded Tugmen team at Esquimalt’s Archie Browning Arena.
The new Rats are a reboot of the Cowichan River Rats, who did their share of damage in the senior C circuit from 1999 to 2006, winning a pair of Island titles along the way. The current squad includes one holdover from the original squad, as well as four sons of original team members.
All four progeny got on the scoresheet last Thursday, led by Nick Prangley, who scored three times, and Curt Gailey, who had two goals and two assists. Dylan Dewarle and Conor Manahan each registered one helper.
Also contributing offensively were Dan Alger, with three goals and three assists; Cam Walsh, with two goals and three assists; and Luke Cuthbert and Ryan King with one goal and one helper apiece.
Pickup goalie Jericho Paul made 18 stops as Cowichan outshot the Tugmen 60-21. Jared Jackson stood on his head in the Tugmen net, making 48 saves in the loss.
The Rats’ next test is set for this Thursday, when they face the Wsanec Arrows. Cowichan’s home opener will take place on May 4, the second half of a home-and-home series against the Jokers.