Shamrocks' Season Over

July 19, 2015

The Jr. Shamrocks had their backs to the wall when they faced the Delta Islanders Saturday at the Panorama Recreation Centre. Down 2-0 in the best-of-five series they had to win in an arena unfamiliar to them. Unfortunately, they fell behind in the first period and never could catch up as they dropped an 11-7 result to go out in straight games.

Charles Claxton was the starter in goal and went the distance in the hot, steamy confines of the tiny Arena ‘A’, kicking out 43 shots as the Rocks were outshot 54-45 in the game. The first period saw the Islanders take a 2-0 lead less than 4 minutes in but the Rocks replied with a pair of goals to get things even, the first coming from Ryan Lewis at 4:15 and the second a shorthanded marker from McLean Chicquen at 10:09. Before the period ended, the visitors added another pair, including a power play marker to take a 4-2 lead to the dressing room.

Victoria pulled within a goal at 2:51 of period 2, Matt Hamilton diving across in front but Delta replied with a pair, followed by another shorthander by Chicquen before Delta added 2 more to extend their lead to 8-4 after 40 minutes.

Each team scored three goals in the final period. For Victoria it was Lewis with his second, Cole Pickup and Jake Cullen but despite pulling the goaltender in the final minutes were unable to make up the difference.

McLean Chicquen and Ryan Lewis each had a pair of goals for Victoria while Jake Cullen, Matt Hamilton and Cole Pickup had the others. The season is officially over for the Shamrocks while the Delta Islanders will go on to face the Coquitlam Adanacs who swept their series against the New Westminster Salmonbellies. The winner of that series will advance to the Western final for the chance to represent the west in the Minto Cup, held this year in Ontario.

-Janice Huckin