Rocks Drop Road Game to Bellies

June 14, 2015

The Jr. Shamrocks dropped into historic Queen’s Park Arena Sunday to take on the New Westminster Salmonbellies in the third game between the two clubs and dropped a 14-11 decision. The game was close for 40 minutes as the first two periods ended in 4-4 and 8-8 ties respectively before some costly Victoria penalties and productive New West power plays opened up a gap the Rocks could not overcome.

Without Charles Claxton, the Shamrocks started rookie Liam Reid in goal while the Bellies went with Tyler Landry between the pipes. Victoria got on the board first, Max Fredrickson scoring with the teams playing 4-on-4jat the 4:16 mark. New West replied with a pair, Owen Barker scoring at 7:32 and Alex Bohl tallying unassisted at 8:47 off a loose ball in front. The Rocks got things tied up at 8:47, McLean Chicquen getting that one and they took the lead once again at 10:05, Jake Cullen getting the first of what would be 3 in the game. Matt Hamilton opened up a 2-goal Victoria lead at 11:41 with a laser but they were unable to hold the lead as Carter Dickson and Connor Robinson tallied for the Bellies before the period ended.

The second period saw two momentum swings as the Shamrocks opened with 3 unanswered but the Salmonbellies closed the frame with 3 of their own. First it was Jake Cullen getting his second just 50 seconds in, off the post. Cole Pickup notched a power play marker on a quickstick from the side of the net at 3:35 and Chicquen picked up his second at 4:48, getting in close and putting the ball up. Carter Dickson replied for the Bellies at 7:50 but Pickup regained the 3-goal lead at 8:16, getting Landry to move and putting the ball over top. That was the end of Landry’s night as he was replaced by Michael Flintoff. It also coincided with New West catching fire as Dickson scored at 10:51 from the dotted line. Robinson picked up his second at 11:49 on a run, Flintoff getting the assist and Jeremy Bosher scored on the power play at 16:15 on a sub-shot from the dotted line. That was what would be the first of 4 consecutive power play goals for the home team going into the final period.

At 1:11 of the final frame Bosher connected on a power play from the dotted line which was followed up by Johnny Pearson getting two straight tallies with the extra man at 1:56 and 4:28 to make it 11-8 for the Bellies. Brock Thompson-Marshall got one back for the Shamrocks at 4:49 but Bosher had the hot hand and came up with 2 more, the second on yet another power play as Victoria ran into penalty problems. Max Fredrickson and Jake Cullen managed to pick up a couple, one of those also coming on the power play to get within a pair of goals but New West put it away at 19:05 with an empty netter.

Jake Cullen had the hat trick and 1 helper to lead the Shamrocks while Max Fredrickson and McLean Chicquen each had 5-point nights with 2 goals and 3 assists. Cole Pickup had a pair of goals and 2 assists while Brock Thompson-Marshall and Matt Hamilton had the other goals. Liam Reid had a pretty solid outing in goal, with 42 saves.

The Shamrocks are on the road next Saturday to take on the Delta Islanders and return to the Q Centre on Sunday, June 21 to host the Coquitlam Adanacs in their only visit this season. Game time is 5:00 pm.

Janice Huckin