The Shuswap Outlaws are Prince George bound, to compete for the midget provincial title. Or are they?
Two weeks ago, the Outlaws hoisted the Thompson Okanagan Minor Box Lacrosse League title, qualifying for the zone championships against the Nicola Valley Thunder.
After handily defeating the Merritt-based team in two games of their best-of-three series, the Outlaws seemed poised to head to provincials, which start July 22.
In Game 1, the Outlaws easily won 11-2 in Merritt.
The return game at the Shaw Centre was a closer contest.
After scoring the first goal in the first two minutes of the game, Shuswap fell behind 3-1 before the end of the first period.
The Outlaws stormed back, scoring a couple of quick goals and knotting the game at three.
Soon after Shuswap turned the game on its head and eventually won 5-4.
After the loss the Nicola Valley club submitted an official protest to the B.C. box lacrosse governing body. As a result of the undisclosed protest, the Outlaws are not cleared to head to provincials. The league is expected to hand down a decision by the end of the week.