Jr. Shamrocks Hand Thunder First Loss

The Langley Thunder came into the Q Centre Saturday with an unblemished record, leading the league at 4-0 but the Jr. Shamrocks outlasted the visitors 16-14 to bring their record to 4-2 while the Thunder drop to 4-1.

Will Kinnaird got the start in goal for Victoria with Jake Sundar his counterpart at the other end of the floor.  The Shamrocks opened the scoring with 2 goals just 5 seconds apart.  Ben Preston scored a power play goal at 2:05 with a hard shot from outside the dotted line and off the ensuing faceoff Cole Pickup went in alone and made it 2-0. Langley got a shorthanded goal to narrow the gap to 1, MacKenzie Pope getting in close at 7:11.  Daniel Smith restored Victoria’s 2-goal lead at 8:29, using his outstanding speed to get a breakaway, that goal coming on a power play.  Langley scored the next 3 goals to end the period, the first coming at 12:33 on the power play from Nathan McKeigan, followed by Christian Bosa at 14:26 and another power play marker at 19:27 from McKeigan.  Shots on goal were 16-13 in Victoria’s favour but they were down 4-3 after 20 minutes.

Langley continued their run with another power play goal just 38 seconds into period 2 from Pope to open a 2-goal lead.  The Rocks responded with a pair of their own, Brad McCulley tallying at 1:34 and Nick Preston, with a spin around shot in front at 4:35 and things were tied up at 5.  Not for long, however, as Langley grabbed a couple of quick goals, McKeigan getting his hat trick marker at 6:52 and 12 seconds later, Nathaniel Kozevnikov making it 7-5 Thunder, getting in close and putting the ball over netminder Kinnaird.  Special teams again came into the mix as the home team rattled off 3 straight to regain the lead.  First it was Jake Campbell on a quick stick from the side of the net at 8:25 with a delayed penalty about to be called and the extra attacker on the floor.  A powerplay goal off the stick of McCulley followed at 10:39, cutting across and knotting the score once again at 7. Victoria took an 8-7 lead at 17:03, Tyler Mace getting a shorthanded goal on a break.  They held the lead for just 19 seconds as Langley’s Ryan Martel got things back even 8-8 which is how the middle frame ended.  Once again the Shamrocks led in shots on goal by a 16-13 margin.

The third period saw many more lead changes as goals came fast and furious with 14 scored in all.  A Langley power play goal put them ahead, McKeigan notching his fourth of the night just 50 seconds in.  Victoria came back with a pair, Campbell picking up his second finding the top corner from well out at 2:42 and Pickup getting his second of the night at 3:43 to give the home team a 1-goal lead.  Not for long.  Langley took the lead with goals at 4:34 and 5:12 before the Shamrocks went on a 5-goal run to take control of the contest.  Ben Preston tallied at 5:42, getting in close.  McCulley added his hattrick marker at 12:21, diving in and Nick Murray made it 13-11 at 13:08, picking up a loose ball and making a run down the floor.  The Rocks’ power play took advantage of a 5-minute major to put a pair of goals on the board, Pickup getting his third at14:32 and Guy Cullen forcing a loose ball on the forecheck and scoring a rare goal at 15:00.  Langley got one back at15:51 before Pickup scored off the ensuing faceoff and made it 16-12 at 15:57.  Langley managed a pair before the period ended, but the Shamrocks killed the last couple of minutes to hold on for the well-earned victory.

Shamrocks captain, Cole Pickup led the offense with 4 goals and 4 helpers.  Brad McCulley added the hat trick and 2 assists while Jake Campbell and Ben Preston each had 2 goals and 2 assists.  Nick Preston, Guy Cullen, Tyler Mace, Nick Murray all had singles while Brian Robb added 6 assists.  Zack Homer went 15 for 24 in the faceoff circle and Will Kinnaird made 25 saves to pick up the win in goal.

The Rocks are on the road Sunday and next Saturday, May 20 and return to the Q Centre on Sunday, May 21 to take on the Coquitlam Adanacs.  That game is a 2:00 pm start.

-      Janice Huckin