Shamrocks Dominant in Game 1

The Junior ‘A’ Shamrocks were dominant in game 1 of their league final series against the Langley Thunder Saturday, holding period leads of 10-4 and 13-6 on the way to a 16-9 victory at the Q Center.

Adam Bland got the start in goal for the Rocks with Brayden Wandler his counterpart at Langley’s end of the floor.  The home team came out fast and scored the first 3 goals of the game before the 4-minute mark.  It was Patrick Dodds getting things started just 22 second in, letting a hard, low shot fly from outside the dotted line.  Mitchell Sandberg followed up just 18 seconds later, again from well out and added his second of the game in identical fashion at 3:43 to make it a 3-0 lead.  Langley got one back at 8:19, Kyle Brunsch going around the defense to the front of the net but off the ensuing faceoff Trent Dicicco replied for the Rocks, getting to the front of the net at 8:33.  The Thunder got back within a pair at 8:53 Stuart Phillips putting the ball over top of Bland.  Victoria went on a 5-goal run beginning at 10:19 when Dylan Johannes found twine with a bullet from well out.  That was followed by Sandberg’s hat trick marker at 10:58, a shot that skipped in front of the net and crossed the line.  Wandler was replaced by Troy Cuzzetto between the pipes for Langley but the offensive onslaught continued.  Dodds picked up his second of the contest at 11:38, followed by a shorthanded tally from Denton Macdonald at 13:53.  Kyle Pepper made it 9-2 for the Shamrocks at 15:07 before Langley found the net again.  Cuzzetto made way for Wandler back in the Langley net.  Isaac Ngyou capitalized for the visitors at 17:10 but Johannes replied for the Rocks at 18:27 picking up his second of the game.  Langley’s Declan Fitzpatrick rounded out first period scoring at 19:39.  Shots on goal were 22-13 for the Shamrocks and they took a 10-4 lead to the dressing room.

Period 2 saw just 5 goals scored and once again it was Victoria capitalizing early, Casey Wilson scoring at the 18-second mark with a quick stick from the side.  Kaden Granberg added an unassisted goal at 5:45 to make it 12-4 before Langley replied, Cody Malawsky scoring at 15:48 with a hard shot from outside the dotted line.  The teams traded goals, Cameron Lumb scoring for the Rocks at 15:56 again after Kyle Pepper won the faceoff and Noah Armitage replying for the visitors at 17:06.  That left the Shamrocks with a 13-6 lead after 40 minutes with a 51-26 edge in shots on goal.

Langley scored early in the final frame, Brunsch getting on the board at 1:50.  Dicicco picked up his second of the game for the home team at 3:24 followed by Brunsch collecting the hat trick at 10:38.  Aido Solomon tallied at 11:08, in close.  Victoria opted to get backup goaltender Daniel Ramage into the action.  Phillips got his second goal of the game for Langley at 13:52 and Wilson closed out the scoring for the Shamrocks at 14:24, finishing off some quick passing in close.

Victoria got a 6-point performance from Patrick Dodds and Trent Dicicco each with 2 goals and 4 assists while Mitch Sandberg had the hat trick and 2 helpers with Casey Wilson contributing 2 goals and 3 assists. Dylan Johannes had 2 goals, Shane Halliwell 4 assists, Noah Manning 5 assists, Denton Macdonald, Cameron Lumb, Aido Solomon, Kyle Pepper and Kaden Granberg the other goals.  Pepper and Granberg were also strong in the faceoff circle winning 9 and 7 faceoffs respectively.

For Langley Kyle Brunsch had the hat trick and 2 assists with Stuart Phillips 2 goals and 4 assists.

Game 2 takes place in Langley Sunday at 4:00 with future games still to be scheduled so keep your eye on this website for information as it becomes available.