Madness at the Barn: Semi U15’s Wild Comeback Punches Ticket to Provincials

WHITE ROCK, BC – Centennial Arena has hosted its fair share of spirited lacrosse battles, but on Wednesday, June 25, it became the stage for something far more memorable—pure, unfiltered chaos.

In a U15 boys’ Game 3 playdown showdown between the hometown Semiahmoo Rock and the visiting Chilliwack Mustangs, fans witnessed a game that had everything: strategy, heartbreak, redemption, and a healthy dose of pandemonium. What started as a tense, well-fought match turned into a theatrical finale nobody in attendance will soon forget.

Third Period: On the Brink

Chilliwack entered the late third period leading 7–5 and maintaining control of the game. The Mustangs dictated the pace, muscling Semi out of scoring lanes and pinning them deep. With three minutes to go and momentum fully on their side, it looked like Chilliwack would ride their lead to the provincial championships.

Many fans were already checking their watches. Some even began to drift toward the exits. But the Rock weren’t done.

Two Goals. One Goalie Pulled. No Fear.

With under 90 seconds left, Semiahmoo’s coaching staff rolled the dice. After recovering a loose ball during a frantic scramble, they called a timeout, pulled the goalie, and set up a desperate 6-on-5 play.

It worked.

With just over a minute on the clock, the Rock found the back of the net. 7–6.

Still no goalie in sight. The face-off ensued, and the Rock gambled again. But with :37 seconds remaining, Chilliwack regained possession and had a clear path to an empty Semi net—until, inexplicably, they called a timeout.

Why? No one’s quite sure.

A Bench Minor… and a Lifeline

What followed was as bizarre as it was decisive. A commotion on the center floor drew the referees together. The timeout had been called by the bench, not a player—a seemingly minor detail that became a major mistake. The refs assessed Chilliwack a bench minor for delay of the game.

Power play, Semiahmoo.

Seconds later, the ball was in the Mustangs’ net. 7–7.

Centennial Arena erupted. The Chilliwack bench imploded. And just like that, we were headed to overtime.

Overtime: Pandemonium and Payback

Ten minutes on the clock. The winner takes the series and a trip to provincials.

Early in OT, a Semi forward blazed toward the Chilliwack crease and was driven hard into the goalie, sending both to the floor and the net flying. Tempers flared. The Chilliwack goalie responded with a glove to the face and was hit with a penalty for roughing.

On the ensuing power play, Semi struck. 8–7.

More controversy. More shouting. A Chilliwack coach was ejected, adding fuel to a fire that was already raging. Semi sealed the win with another late goal, icing it 9–7 and completing a comeback that will go down in local lacrosse lore.

Aftermath: Exhaustion and Elation

As Semiahmoo players dog-piled around their goalie, their fans roared, the Mustangs looked stunned. Some parents, who’d likely left Chilliwack at 4:00 p.m. and now faced a long, silent ride home and a thought of early morning work shifts at the mill, could only shake their heads.

But for Semiahmoo U15? They’re headed to provincials.

And for the rest of us lucky enough to have stayed until the final whistle, we just witnessed a small-town lacrosse miracle.