Banack gets say this time

Josh Banack has never made it to a PBL post-season.

And although his Camrose Roadrunners are assured of at least a one-game playoff, due to Ryley and Bardo’s wins on Sunday night, he’s still looking for that elusive first trip to the big dance.

It was almost six years ago to the day, July 19, 2005, when the Armena Axemen took on the Ryley Brewers in a must-win game for the Brewers. Banack’s Lakers sat one point ahead of the old-timers who would have to beat the powerful Armena Axemen, in Armena, to knock the Lakers out and qualify for the post-season in a make-up tilt on Thursday night. (Final Standings)

The Axemen didn’t help.

Ronny Oslund tossed a four-hitter and the Brewers somehow shut down the Axemen 8-1. Banack came to Armena and didn’t seem too upset. The somewhat stoic Banack looked on and shrugged as I gave him the only “I’m sorry,” from an Axemen player he would get.

Some tough years have come and gone, and once again, Armena is the thorn in Josh Banack’s side. It looked like Sunday night would end the drought. Armena or Leduc would just have to win – just one of those two teams – and his Camrose Roadrunners were in.

It didn’t happen.

Now, the final game of the season is against none other than the Armena Royals. Win, and Josh Banack’s playoff predicament ends. Lose, and they have to play a one-game playoff against Ryley.

This time he gets to play in the game he was forced to helplessly watch six years ago. Does the drought end tonight, or does a decade of torture have to wait for a one-game playoff with the Rebels?

Tonight we see, in Armena. Game time 7 p.m.

Posted on July 18, 2011 by Jason Buzzell