James Baker returned and didn鈥檛 miss a beat after two seasons away.

Baker played in the Arena Lacrosse League in the 2022 season, leading the Grizzlies in goals and tied for the team lead in points, before taking the past two seasons off to focus on his health.

Wednesday night, Nov. 6, Baker was instrumental in his team鈥檚 victory, scoring seven times and finishing with eight points as the Grizzlies opened the ALL West Division new season with a 14-10 win over the Black Fish at 91原创 Events Centre.

鈥淚 just decided it was time to return to the medicine game. I love the game of lacrosse; it is in my blood,鈥� Baker said following his first-star performance. 鈥淚t is a good feeling when the ball goes into the net, but I have to give credit to the other guys on offence for giving me an opportunity to take the shot.鈥�

The seven goals ties an ALL West record for goals in a game.

With his team trailing 6-4 late in the first half, Baker tallied six times in a span of less than 10 minutes, turning that two-goal deficit into a 10-8 lead. The Black Fish would get no closer, ultimately falling by four goals.

鈥淥ffensively we started getting better midway through the first, and then Baker got really hot. It is almost a foreign shot nowadays to throw a bouncer, but I think he had four of his seven were bounce shots, which is just a wicked shot,鈥� said Grizzlies coach Daren Fridge.

Goaltender Christian Del Bianco allowed four goals on 12 shots in the first quarter, before saving 34 of 40 shots over the final 45 minutes.

鈥淚 wasn鈥檛 my sharpest, but it was kind of fun to be a part of. No one gives you any special treatment, you are just one of the guys. It is a super enjoyable thing. You have seen over the years, guys from this league have had NLL tryouts, this is a good league with guys that can play, whether it is former NLL guys or up-and-comers. It is exciting,鈥� Del Bianco said.

On Thursday night, Shooting Eagles downed Sea Spray.

Goaltender Brody Harris made 17 saves on 19 first-quarter shots to keep the game tied at 3-3 heading into the locker room at half-time before both teams broke out in the third with the Shooting Eagles erupting for six goals and a 9-7 lead on their way to the 12-9 win.

鈥淟ittle bit of rust in the beginning; some dropped passes and the execution just wasn鈥檛 there to start with,鈥� explained Shooting Eagles coach Adam Smith. 鈥�(But) the defence was able to create some turnovers was nice. And Brody stood on his head. That is a major reason why we emerged victorious.鈥�

He also attributed better ball movement after the opening quarter for more chances and ultimately, more goals. Declan Fitzpatrick led the victors with two goals and six points, earning first star honours. Lucas Parsons-Quintiao (2-1), Keegan Kozack, and Garret Winter also had two-goal games in the win with Jake Young (1-1), Brandon Fitzgerald and Doug Porter completing the scoring.

For the Sea Spray, rookie Trevayne Hunter led his team with a hat trick and five points while Ty Fisher finished with four assists. Thomas Semple (2-2) and James Rahe (1-2) also had multi-point games with Nathan Ma, Clay Miller, and Seamus Bankier chipping on a goal apiece. Lee Jackman had 45 saves on 56 shots for the Sea Spray.

ALL West teams are both back in action on Nov. 17 with the Grizzlies facing the Shooting Eagles at 1 p.m. and the Black Fish taking on the Sea Spray at 4 p.m.