Jr. Shamrocks Drop Home Opener

The Jr. ‘A’ Shamrocks played their home opener Saturday at the Q Centre.  After opening the season on the road last weekend, the Rocks hosted the Coquitlam Adanacs and, despite a game effort, lost 9-7 to the defending league champions, seeing their record drop to 0-2.

Coquitlam got things going, with 3 straight goals in the opening period.  Jalen Chaster tallied at 7:58, cutting across the front, that goal coming with his team shorthanded.  The Adanacs went up by a pair at 9:31, Beau Chetner doing the damage.  Chaster added his second of the game, on the power play at 12:29 to make it 3-0 for the visitors.  Braylon Lumb broke the goose egg with Victoria's first goal just 18 seconds later, getting in close.  That was how things ended after 20 minutes, the Adanacs up 3-1.

Coquitlam scored 8:12 into period 2, Josh Jackson finding the back of the net on a run, that goal unassisted.  It took just 9 seconds for the Shamrocks to reply, Brian Robb getting in close and at 10:50, Skyler Wilson got the Rocks within a goal from the side of the crease.  Unfortunately, the Adanacs went on a 3-goal run in a span of 27 seconds to open up a 7-3 lead by the 13-minute mark.  Ben Preston got one back for the home team at 15:01 with a hard overhand shot from the center dotted line. That made it 7-4 after 40 minutes.

The Adanacs got their eighth goal 2:24 into the final frame but the Shamrocks replied with a pair, the first from Skyler Wilson at 3:25 off a rebound and the second from Lumb, his second of the game at 13:18 with a quick stick in front.  The teams exchanged goals, Jeremy Basicscoring for the Adanacs at 13:52 off the faceoff and Wilson picking up his ha ttrick marker at 18:23 to close out the scoring.

Skyler Wilson led the Rocks’ offense with 3 goals and 1 assist.  Braylon Lumb had a strong game with a pair of goals and 2 helpers and singles came from Ben Preston, and Brian Robb.  Brayden Brown chipped in 3 assists.

The Jr. ‘A’Shamrocks travel to Delta Sunday to take on the Islanders and return to the Q Centre for a mid-week contest against their island rivals, the NanaimoTimbermen.  The Rocks are expecting to see more players returning from their NCAA commitments over the coming Days.  Game time Tuesday, May 8 is 7:30 and it’s always a great battle between these two teams.  The Rocks also play at home next Saturday, May 12 at 4:00 pm when the visitors will be the Port Coquitlam Saints.