ST JOHN'S - The British Columbia women's box lacrosse team capped a perfect Canada Games with a 4-2 win over Alberta in the gold medal final on Friday as spectators and rain were welcomed back at Paradise Park.

Stung by a narrow 2-1 loss in the gold medal match at Niagara Canada Games three years ago, British Columbia was a team on a mission in St. John's powering their way to the top of the podium without a loss.

When the final buzzer sounded the arena erupted in wild celebrations dozens of family members and friends, who had travelled from British Columbia, joining the team on the floor.

British Columbia grabbed the early lead on a goal from Tylana Beitel and would never trail.

With less than a minute remaining in the opening period Avery Rogers’s power play goal would send the teams into the intermission level at 1-1.

But British Columbia would take control in the second jumping out to a 3-1 lead on goals from Callie Murphy and Rylee Wing.

Peyton Campbell added to the BC cushion opening the scoring in the third with Avery Michaluk replying for Alberta seconds later.

But Alberta would get no closer unable to put another ball past netminder Sophie Sheppard, the daughter of BC head coach Russ Sheppard.

At the buzzer Sheppard and his daughter found each other for a long tearful hug, Russ explaining later that it was his daughter's last game.

"A beautiful moment," summed up Sheppard as celebrations erupted around him. "It's a pretty surreal experience and to see how well she played in this game to bring it home for us, to say I am proud is an understatement, as a coach and a dad it was incredible to see her performance today."

British Columbia also continued to rule supreme in women's softball holding off a late Ontario fight back to secure a 9-6 victory and their sixth consecutive gold medal and seventh in the last eight Games.

Cruising along with 7-0 lead after three innings BC suddenly found themselves in a tight contest when Ontario exploded for five runs in the fifth trimming the deficit to two runs.

But the Ontario rally would fizzle, BC hanging on to collect a second consecutive gold.

Over on the baseball diamonds, British Columbia was also getting the job done clinching a spot in Saturday's men's gold medal final with 7-0 shutout of Prince Edward Island.

British Columbia will take on Quebec for gold, the belle province advancing with a 9-4 over Saskatchewan.

The final swimming event on the Canada Games schedule was the 3,000m open water race at Rotary Sunshine Park.

Quebec's Oliver Blanchard powered his way to men's gold in a time of 38:04.34 more than 26 seconds clear of Team Alberta's Aiden Gyorfi. Quebec's Adrian Cheung completed the podium taking bronze.

The gold capped a sensational Games for Blanchard who also dominated the freestyle events in the pool winning the 400, 800, 1500m races.

In the women's race it was Alberta's Elleigh Wise, winner of the 200m freestyle in the pool, taking top spot in 38:36.91 just 10 seconds clear of Ontario's Isabella Cooper. Quebec's Annabelle Turcotte grabbed bronze.

It was a busy day on the Canada Games hardwood where the men's and women's finals were set.

In a rematch of last year's gold medal final, Team Ontario men beat British Columbia with a tidy 83-71 win to head into Saturday's final where they will face Alberta, who secured their place with a 67-54 win over Quebec.

In women's semifinal play Team Alberta clinched a return to the gold medal match with a convincing 70-50 win over Nova Scotia and will also take on Ontario, who were 72-53 winners over British Columbia.

Team Quebec also managed a successful defense of their men's soccer crown but needed a penalty shootout to claim a tension packed 4-3 win over Alberta.

British Columbia thumped Nova Scotia 4-0 to grab bronze.

STARTING LINEUP

Here's what you need to know about the Canada Games on Saturday:

CYCLING (Downtown St. John's)

The Canada Games come to downtown St. John's with cycling criterium where spectators can watch the action from one of Water Street's well-known pubs as the athletes chase gold.

VOLLEYBALL (Paradise Park)

With play back on at Paradise Park it will be a busy day at the beach volleyball venue with both the men's and women's semifinals in the morning followed by medal matches in the evening.

BASKETBALL (Newfoundland & Labrador Sports Centre, The Works Field House)

Ontario and Alberta will be bidding for a hoops golden double on Saturday with both men's and women's team securing spots in the final.

BASEBALL MEN (St. Pat's Ballpark)

British Columbia and Quebec go for gold on the St Pat's diamond.

SAILING (Royal Newfoundland Yacht Club)

After a week of tough sailing the final races in the men's and women's Single Handed ILCA and Double Handed 29er will decide who lands on the medal podium.

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