Shamrocks Advance to Finals

The Victoria Jr. A Shamrocks will be moving on to face the Coquitlam Adanacs in the league finals as they picked up a 7-6 road win against the Port Coquitlam Saints Saturday to win the series 3 games to 1. It was the only road win for either team in a hard-fought very evenly played series.

As in the previous 3 games Greyson Beggs started in goal for Victoria and Waukigan Snognosh for the Saints. The home team opened scoring 4:47 into the opening frame, Oskar Lucas getting in close. Ryan Lowe replied for the Rocks with a power play goal on a bouncer from the side of the crease at 13:42 but the Saints regained the lead on Jared Maznik’s goal at 15:23. That goal came with the extra attacker on the floor on a delayed penalty call to Victoria. That was how the period went into the books, Port Coquitlam holding a 2-1 lead and a 13-12 edge in shots on goal.

Victoria’s offense got rolling in period 2 but defensive play was also very strong as they outscored the home team 3-1. It was Ronin London scoring first, starting a 3-goal Shamrocks’ run at 1:57 with a hard overhand shot from the dotted line to knot the score at 2. Jett Klassen put the visitors ahead to stay at 8:23, diving across in front. Team captain Greysen Thompson made it a 2-goal lead, shooting cross crease at 14:34. Lucas picked up his second of the game at 17:46 to cut the Rocks’ lead to one, getting in close. That made it 4-3 for Victoria after 40 minutes.

The visitors again got things going in the third period, Thompson collecting his second of the contest at 3:13 jumping and spinning to shoot from outside the dotted line. Parker Sorensen made it 6-3 for Victoria at 5:24 also from outside the dotted arc, another goal from the defensive side of the ball. Lincoln Wall replied for the Saints at 9:30 but Thompson picked up the hat trick for Victoria at 11:35 to make it 7-4. Lucas capitalized on a PoCo power play at 14:08 with a steal in front. With their goaltender on the bench and the extra attacker, Josh Mills added an unassisted tally at 19:13 but they would get no closer as Victoria called a time out and then shut the door for the final 47 seconds to preserve the 1-goal victory.

Leading the way for the Shamrocks in this game was their captain Greysen Thompson with 3 goals and 3 assists. Ronin London and Ryan Lowe each had a goal and 2 helpers with Evan Mcdougall chipping in 3 assists. Jett Klassen had a goal and an assist and Parker Sorenson for the defense had the other Victoria goal. Greyson Beggs made 35 saves for the win.

Oskar Lucas picked up the hat trick and an assist for the Saints while Josh Mills had a goal and 2 helpers, Lincoln Wall 1 of each and Blake Young 2 assists. Jared Maznik had the other Port Coquitlam goal and goaltender Waukigan Shognosh made 37 saves in a losing cause.

As noted, the Shamrocks will now face the Coquitam Adanacs in the league final. Coquitlam, with the first place finish in the regular season, will hold home floor advantage. The winner will advance to the Minto Cup taking place in Calgary.  

The series will start Tuesday the 28th at 530 in Coquitlam, game 2 will go Thursday the 30th at 430 in the Q Centre, game 3 August 1st in Colquitlam time to be confirmed, game 4 back at the Q  on the 2nd at 600 pm. If needed games 5 through 7 to be announced.

- Janice Huckin