Rocks Open Season with Victory

The B.C. Jr.A Lacrosse League season is officially under way as the Jr. Shamrocks picked up a road win against their island rivals the Nanaimo Tmbermen, coming away with a convincing 16-4 win Friday at Frank Crane Arena.

The result was never really in doubt as the visitors jumped out to a 5-1 first period lead on their way to the win on opening night, both teams missing some key personnel and filling in roster spots with Intermediate ‘A’ call-ups.

Starting goaltenders were Kain Stewart for the T’Men and newcomer Will Kinnaird for the Rocks, Kinnaird having been obtained in a trade last season but seeing no action in 2016.  The Shamrocks had a 4-0 lead before Nanaimo hit the scoresheet, Cole Pickup and Griffin Wilson each scoring a pair, by the 14:33 mark. Nanaimo’s Will Johanssen got the home team on the scoresheet at 17:16 to spoil Kinnaird’s goose egg before Nick Murray tallied at 18:06 on a shot that Stewart got a piece of but couldn’t quite hold onto.  The Shamrocks totally dominated, leading18-13 in shots on goal and looked almost in mid-season form. 

In the middle frame, Nanaimo tried to claw their way back into the game, scoring 2goals and allowing 3.  Braylon Lumb opened the scoring at 2:35, getting in close, faking and shooting low.  The T’Men got on a 2-goal run with goals from Colton Lidstone and Drew McFayden before Victoria’s Max Wilson, got on a breakaway from his own end to score an unassisted shorthanded tally at 15:19.  Brian Robb finished the second period scoring at 16:03 with the teams playing 4-on-4. Although it was a stronger period for Nanaimo, Victoria still dominated in shots on goal with a 20-11 advantage. 

The third period was all Victoria, as 6 goals were scored in the first 5:30, 5 of those from the Shamrocks with Nanaimo’s Lidstone picking up his second in the midst of 3 more from Victoria’s Brian Robb, having an outstanding first game.  Gabe Harman picked up one and Griffin Wilson added his third of the game during that onslaught.  Rounding out the offense, Lumb picked up his second of the game with Brody Black and Colton Gnecht, two of the Intermediate ‘A’ call-ups adding to Victoria’s total. Both teams brought in their second goaltender, Victoria starting theperiod with Spencer Erwin and Nanaimo inserting Colin Jeffries after the 12^thShamrock goal.  Overall it was Victoria outshooting the home team by a 60-35 margin. 

Several Shamrocks had multi-point games, Brian Robb leading the way with 4 goals and 1 assist, Griffin Wilson with the hat trick and both Braylon Lumb and Cole Pickup with a pair of goals and adding 2 and 3 helpers respectively.  Singles came from Gabe Harman, Nick Murray and Intermediate ‘A’ call-ups Colt Gnecht, Brody Black and Max Wilson, Black also chipping in 3 assists. 

Intermediate ‘A’call-up Colt Lidstone led Nanaimo’s attack with a pair of goals. 

Both teams are back in action on the weekend as Nanaimo travels to Coquitlam to take on the defending Minto Cup champion Coquitlam Adanacs while the Shamrocks travel to Burnaby on Sunday to face the Lakers. The Shamrocks open their home season with a match-up Saturday, April 29 when they will host the Port Coquitlam Saints in a 5:00 start at the Q Centre.  You can also catch the Intermediate Shamrocks’ home opener that day at 2:00 as they will take on the New Westminster Salmonbellies. 

Players from both the Intermediate and Junior ‘A’ Shamrocks will also be participating in the John Crowther Memorial game at the Q Centre Friday, April 28 beginning at 7:00.  Come out and see some of these stars of the future, as well as some promising Peninsula midget players as they take on Shamrocks alumni.  Always a fun evening and a great fund raiser for the Shamrocks Alumni Association.

-      Janice Huckin