The Maple Ridge Burrards quest for the post-season ended Sunday night like so many of their contests did this season.

Oh, so close.

The Burrards mathematically eliminated themselves from the Western Lacrosse Association’s play-off race with a 12-11 loss to the New Westminster Salmonbellies at home. It was the eighth time the team lost by two goals or less this season.

Going into their final game of the season on Saturday in Nanaimo, the Burrards sat in fifth place in the WLA standings with seven wins and 10 losses.

The Burrards fell behind early Sunday night, floating the ’Bellies a 9-2 lead early in second period.

But the Burrards countered with an offensive explosion midway through the second, scoring seven unanswered goals to tie the game.

However, it would not be enough as the Salmonbellies pulled away in final frame for the win.

While they still fell short of their goal to extend their season, the Burrards 2009 campaign can only be viewed as marked improvement on years previous.

Their seven wins with a game still remaining equals their best total since they last made the play-offs in 2005. Meanwhile the Burrards’ high draft picks like Joel Dalgarno, Jarrett Davis, and Tyler Codron have begun to emerge as dominant players in WLA.

Coach Daren Fridge said he’s optimistic about the future of the team.

“I think we proved we can go toe-to-toe with anyone,” he said. “I’m not as disappointed as I was at the end of last season, because I can see the progress we’ve made.”

He said he hopes to keep the nucleus of the team intact by bringing back veteran players like Randy Daly and Athen Yuen, as well as adding some young additions from the draft.

“I’m optimistic we can keep everybody happy and keep everyone together,” said Fridge.

Fridge expects last season’s leading scorer with the Burrards, Peter Tellis, to return to active duty with the team for 2010. Due to scheduling conflicts, Tellis was unable to commit to playing for the Burrards this year, and has taken up an assistant coaching role when possible.

With him back in the line up, the Burrards add another offensive threat up front. Tellis has 126 points in 53 games with the Burrards, and at 27 years old, has plenty of tread left on the tires.

“He’s a pure crease man we didn’t have this season,” said Fridge. “That’s 20 more goals and 20 more chances to win.”

Fridge also hopes to have Dalgarno in the line-up for a better part of the season. The sophomore sniper has 90 points in just 23 games with the Burrards in the past two seasons.

“He has other commitments to [Ohio State University] and the National Lacrosse League, but we are hoping to have him for most of the season,” said Fridge.

If there’s any consolation to finishing fifth it will be that the Burrards have the third pick overall in the 2010 draft, as well two picks in the second round.

“We’re going to continue to make ourselves younger and better,” said Fridge.