Rocks Go 2-for-2, Hand 'Bellies Second Loss

The Jr.Shamrocks picked up a pair of wins, including probably their biggest of the season at the Q Centre Sunday as they handed the New Westminster Salmonbellies their second loss of the season, coming away with a 14-12 victory.  That came on the heels of a dominant 23-9 victory over the Delta Islanders on the mainland Saturday. 

Sunday saw Spencer Erwin get the start in goal for the Shamrocks and Erik Kratz between the pipes for the ‘Bellies.  New West got on the board first, Connor Robinson connecting at 2:21 from just inside the dotted line.  Victoria came back strong with a pair, Gabe Harman on a break at 3:25 with an unassisted tally and team captain Cole Pickup opening up a 2-1 lead at 4:20 off a looseball and race down the floor.  Carter Jensen pulled the visitors even with a quick stick from the side at 4:38 and Colton Bykowsky regained the lead for the ‘Bellies at 5:20, taking a cross-crease pass and burying it on the power play.  They then opened a 2-goal lead off the stick of Eric Maas at 6:20 before the home team replied.  Griffin Wilson got the Shamrocks within a goal at 8:33 from just inside the dotted line and Brad McCulley scored a power play marker at 10:25, going to the net.  New West managed to take back a 2-goal lead before the period ended, Maas getting his second of the game at 12:09, going across in front and Jensen getting his second at 17:09 from inside the dotted line.  Shots on goal had the ‘Bellies up by a 16-11 margin and ahead on the scoreboard 6-4. 

The visitors again scored first in the middle frame, Larson Sundown firing from the dotted line at 3:57.  The Shamrocks ’offense kicked into high gear, as they have been doing the last few games.  First it was Skyler Wilson, diving across the net and finding twine at 5:28.  Marshal King pulled the Rocks even at 8:51 with a power play goal, showing great ball control with the man advantage.  Zac Christianson went on a run and gave the home team the lead at 10:02 and at 10:58, Pickup got his second of the night, a shorthanded marker in close.  The ‘Bellies got that one back on the power play at 12:29 before the Rocks scored the final two goals of the period.  Pickup scored both of them, the first at17:13 off a rebound right in front and the second from the side of the crease with Erwin on the bench and an extra attacker, that one coming at 19:59 and giving the home team the 10-8 lead going to the dressing room after 40 minutes.  Once again shots on goal favoured the Salmonbellies 15-11 but the Rocks were ahead on the scoreboard. 

Would the Shamrocks be able to hold on?  Well,  NewWestminster scored the first two goals of the final frame, Mitch Flintoff scoring at 4:19 on a run and Carter Jensen picking up his third of the game ont he power play at 5:51 to tie the score at 10. Victoria got a power play goal of their own at 8:55, Nick Preston finding the back of the net with good ball control, shooting from the dotted line.  Just 54 seconds later Skyler Wilson collected his second from outside the dotted line to give his team the 2-goal lead.  Jensen picked up another for the visitors at 10:14 before the Rocks put the game away.  Skyler Wilson got his hat trick marker at 11:13 with a quick stick from the side of the net and Preston picked up his second of the game with a hard shot from outside the dotted line at 16:51, that goal coming on the power play.  New West got one back at 18:32, Jensen doing the damage once again but the Rocks would hold on for the victory.  Play deteriorated late in the game with numerous major penalties assessed to both teams as officials had their hands full. 

Cole Pickup led Victoria’s offense with 4 goals and 5 assists with some of his Grizzlies’ hockey teammates in attendance. Skyler Wilson had the hat trick and his brother Griffin chipped in a goal and 2 helpers.  Nick Preston had a 6-point night with 2 goals and 4 assists while Marshal King and Brad McCulleychipped in a goal and 3 helpers each. Gabe Harman and Zac Christianson had the other Victoria goals.  Spencer Erwin went the distance in goal and picked up his third win in 3 starts in the last two weekends. 

In Saturday’s action, the Shamrocks held period leads of 8-3 and 16-5 on their way to the 23-9 win over Delta.  Will Kinnaird got the win in goal and almost every member of the Shamrocks roster got on the scoreboard with numerous multiple point games.  Braylon Lumb held the hot hand with 4 goals and 5 assists.  Marshal King, newly returned from his educational commitments added 3 goals and 5 assists while Brad McCulley had 3 goals and 4 assists, Griffin Wilson also with the hat trick.  Nick Preston, Zac Christianson, and Cole Pickup had 2-goal nights and Nick Murray chipped in 5 assists. 

These two wins give the Shamrocks 16 points, puts them in third place, two points ahead of the Langley Thunder who hold a couple of games in hand.  The Rocks are on the road next weekend as they will travel to Coquitlam Sunday to take on the league-leading Adanacs.  Their next home game is Saturday, June 24 when they will host the Langley Thunder in a 5:00 pm start at the Q Centre.