Rocks Best Island Rivals

The Jr. Shamrocks have won the season series against their island rivals, the Nanaimo Timbermen with an 11-8 home floor win Tuesday. They will play each other once more before the season ends but this was a victory sorely needed by the Shamrocks having dropped a pair on the weekend.

Victoria’s coaching staff gave the start in goal to Intermediate ‘A’ call-up Spencer Erwin while Nanaimo went with their proven starter, Matt Zeller. It was the Rocks striking first, Nick Preston tallying just 1:17 into the contest. Nanaimo replied just over a minute later, Ryan Lewis getting in close at 2:27. Yes, that is former Shamrock Lewis of which I speak and he was a big part of the night for the visitors. At 6:35 Cole Pickup scored on a quick stick from right in front to restore Victoria’s lead but off the ensuing faceoff another former Shamrock, McLean Chicquen scored to tie the score at 2. Before the period ended, Lewis picked up his second of the night, again getting in close and that put the visitors up 3-2 after the first 20 minutes. Shots on goal favoured the Rocks by a 17-12 margin but they were down by a goal.

The home team got even with a shorthanded marker off the stick of Eddie Smith at 2:35 of the middle frame. Again the T’Men struck quickly to regain the lead, Chicquen picking up his second at 3:31 from outside the dotted line, that goal coming with the man advantage. And so it went for the majority of the period. Steve Ackinclose scored at 6:24, some persistence on the loose ball paying off to tie things up. Nanaimo again took the lead, Mike D’Amerio tallying at 7:13 before the Shamrocks, on a power play of their own tied things at 9:28, Braylon Lumb having success with a quick stick from the side of the crease. Nanaimo took the lead once again, Lewis notching his hat trick at 10:37 and that was the last time the visitors would lead the contest. Victoria tied things up at 13:01, Nick Preston diving across the crese. Nanaimo found themselves in some penalty trouble and the Rocks’ power play took full advantage as Colten Merilainen scored from the dotted line at 15:05 and Lumb picked up his second at 15:46 to give the Shamrocks the 8-6 lead going into the second intermission.

Give the Timbermen credit – they didn’t quit and battled back to tie things early in period 3. Cody Clark scored on the power play at 5:01 with a hard, low shot and D’Amerio picked up his second at 6:25 before the Rocks went on a 3-goal run to put the game away. The team’s leading scorer, Cole Pickup got his second at 7:57 from the dotted line. Adam Jay picked up a rare goal on a breakaway at 8:04 off the ensuing faceoff and David Byrne scored a highlight goal, spinning around in front before being knocked to the floor by Darrin Wilson.

It wasn’t pretty but it was a win and the Shamrocks will take it and look ahead. Leading the way offensively was Cole Pickup with 2 goals and 3 helpers. Braylon Lumb and Nick Preston each had a pair of goals and 1 assist. Eddie Smith, Colten Merilainen, Adam Jay, Steve Ackinclose, and David Byrne had the others. Spencer Erwin went the distance between the pipes, kicking out 31 of the 39 shots he faced to pick up the win. Zack Homer was outstanding in the faceoff circle, winning 11 of the 15 he took.

The Shamrocks improve their record to 5 and 8 for 10 points, 2 points behind the Port Coquitlam Saints and 2 ahead of Langley which holds 3 games in hand. Next up for the Shamrocks is a Sunday match-up with those Saints in PoCo. Next home game will be Sunday, June 19 against the Delta Islanders which will be played at Westhills Arena starting at 5:00 pm. The Intermediate Shamrocks are in action this Saturday, June 11 at 1:30 when they will take on the Langley Thunder at the Q Centre.

- Janice Huckin