Jr. Rocks Drop Playoff Game 1

July 11, 2015

The Jr. Shamrocks dropped playoff game 1 in their best of 5 series against the Delta Islanders Saturday at the Q Centre. Despite scoring the opening goal just 52 seconds into the game, they found themselves down 5-4 after 20 minutes and scored just once in each subsequent period to fall by a 14-6 score.

Charles Claxton, as he has done all year, started between the pipes and as mentioned it was the Shamrocks scoring first, captain Max Fredrickson getting in close at 52-seconds and putting the first shot of the game behind Delta goalkeeper Ryland Hood. That began a rotation of goals as Delta replied at 4:27, Chase Fraser scoring from an odd angle. Cole Pickup regained Victoria’s lead at 8:11 with a bouncer from outside the dotted line but Delta pulled even at 13:21. Once again, the home team jumped ahead, Steve Ackinclose forcing a loose ball near center floor and racing in alone at 14:10. That lead held up for all of 7 seconds as, off the ensuing faceoff Spencer Bromley got the visitors even at 3-3. Delta took the lead at 15:55, Fraser getting his second of the game on a hard, low shot. This time it was Victoria replying, Jake Cullen scoring a power play marker at 17:34 with a hard shot from the dotted line. Delta returned the favour, scoring with the man advantage at 18:26 to take a 5-4 lead into the dressing room after the first 20 minutes.

That was as close as the Shamrocks would get as the wheels fell off and Delta dominated the final 40 minutes. They ran off 4 straight goals to take a 9-4 lead by 9:14 of the middle frame before Pickup picked up his second of the night for the Shamrocks at 11:13. They were unable to get any momentum, being guilty of bad passing, poor shot selection and gave up a couple more before the end of the second period, one of those coming shorthanded. They were badly outshot over 2 periods, 35-22.

Things didn’t get any better for the home team in period 3 although there was no scoring until past the halfway point of the period. Victoria managed a shorthanded goal between a couple of Delta power play goals, that one goal coming from rookie Danny Smith who was overall one of the Rocks’ better players in the game.

Cole Pickup had 2 goals and a helper for Victoria while Max Fredrickson and Jake Cullen each contributed a goal and 1 assist. Steve Ackinclose and Danny Smith had the other goals. There is a quick turn-around as the teams suit up for game 2 of the series in Ladner Sunday before returning to the Panorama Centre for game 3 next weekend. That game is scheduled for 5:00 pm on Saturday, July 18.

-Janice Huckin