Shamrocks Drop Game 1 at Minto Cup

The Jr. A Shamrocks got off to a rocky start in their first game at the 2026 Minto Cup in Calgary.  Their first opponents were the Calgary Mountaineers, runners-up in the Rocky Mountain Junior A Lacrosse League, and they found themselves down 5-1 in the first 5 minutes.  They battled back to within a goal just past the midway mark of period 3, eventually dropping an 11-8 decision.

Starting goaltenders were Greyson Beggs for the Shamrocks and Tommy St. Louis for Calgary.  As noted, the Mounties got off to a hot start, Kayden Yeaman scoring from outside the dotted line just 54 seconds in.  Callum Zarsky made it 2-0 at 1:29 from the dotted line.  Jett Klassen got the Shamrocks on the board at 1:55 diving in front but Calgary erupted for 3 straight beginning with Arley Wasson’s tally at the 3-minute mark, cutting to the net.  Jaden Richards added another from inside the dotted arc at 4:17 and Ryan McDonald capitalized from outside the dotted line 15 seconds later.  It was not the start Victoria wanted and, after allowing 5 goals on 5 shots, Beggs was replaced between the pipes by Angus Snow, who had anchored the team through the regular season.  The Rocks responded at 8:36, Marcelo Carreiro picking up a pass right in front to beat St. Louis.  Ryan Lowe got Victoria within a pair at 10:34 with a sky-hook shot from behind the net.  Calgary rounded out first period scoring with a pair – Elijah Pawluk-Zacharias getting on a run at 13:49 and Yeaman picking up his second at 15:51 to make the score 7-3 after 20 minutes.

In the middle frame, there was a single goal and it was Victoria’s Phillip Busenius tallying from close in front at 10:13.  That closed the gap to 3.

Victoria scored first in period 3, Busenius collecting his second, unassisted, at 1:06.  The teams traded goals, Ben McLean regaining Calgary’s 3-goal lead at 2:48 getting in close.  The Shamrocks answered, Carreiro getting his second at 4:15 using Ben Pawluk as a decoy.  McDonald picked up his second for the Mountaineers at 5:46, going to the net to make the score 9-6.  The Rocks bounced back with a pair, the first Carreiro’s hat trick marker at 12:57 with a quick stick in close then Evan Mcdougall with another quick stick at 13:17.  Suddenly the boys in green were within a goal.  Unfortunately Calgary finished with a pair of their own Brady Murphy tallying at 15:27 and Zarsky collecting his second at 19:44 to put the game away.

Marcelo Carreiro led Victoria’s offense with a hat trick while Ryan Lowe had a 4-point night on a goal and 3 helpers.  Phillip Busenius had a pair of goals, Evan Mcdougall a goal and 2 assists and Carter Quested 3 assists.  Jett Klassen added a goal and an assist while Dawson Wade had 2 helpers.  Angus Snow had a solid outing between the pipes in relief.

For the Mountaineers it was Ryan McDonald leading the way with 2 goals and 3 assists while Callum Zarsky added a pair of each and Kayden Yeaman 2 goals and 1 helper.  Arley Wasson had a goal and 2 assists and Caiden Moon 3 assists.

Next up for the Shamrocks is the host team, the Calgary Raiders, August 17^th at 8 pm local time (7:00 pm PDT) while the Mountaineers will face Ontario Champs St. Catherines in a 4 pm start.

-      Janice Huckin