Shamrocks Even Series at Home

After a nail-biting 7-6 loss in game 1 in Coquitlam the Jr. A Shamrocks returned to the Q Center Thursday looking to even the series and they did exactly that with a convincing 15-7 victory.

Greyson Beggs, who has been a pillar between the pipes for the Shamrocks, again got the start while Marcus Khan occupied the crease for the visitors. Coquitlam opened scoring 7:14 into the opening frame, Parker Kennedy getting in close. Victoria replied quickly, Ryan Lowe connecting at 8:02 from outside the dotted line. Alec McNamara regained the lead for the Adanacs at 8:41, an unassisted tally on a run. Keegan Laity added another at 12:57 getting in close. Once again Victoria responded, Carter Quested scoring at 14:45 off the post on a cross-crease shot. The home team knotted the score at 3 on Phillip Busenius’ unassisted goal at 17:55 but Coquitlam pulled ahead on a power play goal from Nathan Chalmers with 5 seconds left on the clock. The Rocks held a slim 17-15 edge in shots but were at a 4-3 deficit on the scoreboard after 20 minutes.

The second period was all Shamrocks as they outscored Coquitlam 6-0 and it started early with Marcelo Carreiro finding twine at 1:58 on a run. They then capitalized on a power play, Quested picking up his second of the game at 5:10 from outside the dotted line. Ben Pawluk made it 6-4 at 7:08 from just outside the crease, late in the 30-second shot window. Evan Mcdougall extended the lead at 12:58 with a bouncer from outside the dotted arc. Jett Klassen added another from well out at 14:29 followed by Carreiro’s second, shorthanded, at 17:40 getting in close and beating Owen Byers, who had relieved Khan in goal. That sent the Shamrocks to the dressing room with a 9-4 lead after 2 periods.

Khan returned to the crease for Coquitlam in period 3 but Victoria’s offense continued to roll, team captain Greysen Thompson connecting at 1:34 from inside the dotted line. Busenius, who has become quite the offensive weapon in the playoffs, collected his second unassisted at 2:44. That brought Byers back to the Adanacs’ crease. Musical goaltenders. The visitors finally solved Beggs 28 minutes and 44 seconds after their previous goal, Myles Archbold scoring unassisted at 8:39. The teams traded goals, Lowe getting his second for the Rocks at 8:45 off the faceoff and Kai Hartley replying for the visitors at 9:53. The home team went on a 3-goal run, Lowe picking up 2 of those starting with a power play goal at 13:55 on a bouncer from the dotted line. Pawluk connected for his second on a quick stick from the side at 14:20 and Lowe got his 4^th at 14:28, a dribbler. Coquitlam had one goal left and it was from the stick of Kennedy, his second, shorthanded at 19:27.

As they did in the semi-finals the Shamrocks got balanced scoring although it was Carter Quested leading the way with 2 goals and 4 helpers for a 6-point night. Ryan Lowe chipped in 4 goals and won 13 of 18 faceoffs, Greysen Thompson had a goal and 4 assists, Jett Klassen a goal and 3 helpers, Marcelo Carreiro 2 goals and 1 assist with Phillip Busenius and Ben Pawluk each contributing a pair of goals. Evan Mcdougall had a goal and 2 helpers, Quinn Cramb 3 assists, Parker Sorenson 2 assists while Greyson Beggs was strong in goal making 33 saves to pick up the win.

Only Parker Kennedy scored more than once for the Adanacs picking up a pair of goals while Keegan Laity had a goal and 2 assists.

The series switches back to Coquitlam for game 3 on Saturday, August 1 at 5 pm with game 4 back at the Q Center Sunday in a 6 pm start.

- Janice Huckin