Home Floor the Difference – Series Tied Again

Home Floor the Difference – Series Tied Again

The Jr. A Shamrocks hosted the Coquitlam Adanacs Sunday at the Q Center in game 4 of their best-of-seven league final and, as in the previous 3 games, the home team emerged victorious. It was a very tight game with the score tied 2-2 after one and 4-4 after 2 periods before Victoria took charge, outscoring the visitors 4-1 in the final period for an 8-5 win, tying the series at 2 wins apiece.

As in the previous 3 games the starting goaltenders were Marcus Khan for Coquitlam and Greyson Beggs for Victoria. The visitors scored first, Matthew Dane diving around from behind the net at 9:56. Marcelo Carreiro answered for Victoria at 10:20, also coming from behind the net. The Shamrocks took the lead at 12:55 on Philip Busenius’ unassisted tally on a run. Before the period ended, Ethan Gordon got the visitors even with a bullet from just inside the dotted line. Shots on goal were 16-12 in Coquitlam’s favor but the game was tied at 2.

Period 2 also saw just 2 goals per team but in reverse order as the Shamrocks sored first, Carter Quested combining with Kurtis Guilbault on a slick passing play to get in close at 3:14. Coquitlam struck back with a pair, Nathan Chalmers connecting at 5:18 from outside the dotted line. Harrison Peck gave the visitors the 4-3 lead at 7:25 but Ben Pawluk knotted the score at 13:55 from the dotted line.

With nothing resolved after 40 minutes Victoria took charge both offensively and defensively in period 3. Quested picked up his second goal of the game from outside the dotted line at 3:54. Evan McDougall made it a 2-goal lead at 10:13 and Dawson Wade increased the lead to 3, finding a corner at 15:25. Meanwhile the defense was forcing loose balls and limiting scoring chances. Gordon finally was able to beat Beggs, getting his second goal of the game at 17:41. Coquitlam pulled their goaltender and put 2 defenders on Ryan Lowe deep in his own end but he took off, outrunning both to go end to end and score into the yawning cage with 4.4 seconds left on the clock to cap off the win.

For the Shamrocks it was Dawson Wade with a 3-point night on a goal and 2 assists while Carter Quested had a pair of goals. Ryan Lowe and Phillip Busenius each chipped in a goal and a helper while Kurtis Guilbault and Cooper Anderson contributed 2 assists each. Ben Pawluk and Marcelo Carreiro had singles and Greyson Beggs made 41 saves to get the win.

Coquitlam got a pair of goals from Ethan Gordon while Nathan Chalmers had a goal and 1 assist and Parker Kennedy had 2 helpers. Marcus Khan had 38 saves in a losing cause.

Back to the mainland the series goes for game 5 on Wednesday, August 5 with a 5:30 pm start time. There will also definitely be a game 6 back at the Q Center on Saturday, August 8 at 3:00 pm. Lots to be settled in what has been a very competitive and entertaining series so far.

- Janice Huckin