Shamrocks Fall Behind 2-0 in Playoffs

The Shamrocks saw their playoff hopes slipping, slipping away after dropping the second game in their best-of-five series, falling 11-6 to the Coquitlam Adanacs at Westhills Arena Sunday. The Rocks held a 4-2 first period lead but were outscored 9-2 over the final 40 minutes as they just didn’t have the horsepower that the tremendously deep Adanacs have.

Charles Claxton and Pete Dubenski got the starts in goal for the home and visiting teams respectively. Before the crowd got seated following the national anthem the Adanacs got on the board with a shot through traffic by Jean-Luc Chetner, that goal coming just 31 seconds into the game. Victoria’s Max Fredrickson got that one back at 1:29, going 5-hole on Dubenski and just 8 seconds later, Derek Lecky made it 2-0 for the boys in green when the goalie misplayed the ball and oops in it went. Tyler Pace got the score tied up on a power play marker at 2:56, intercepting a Victoria pass and going in alone. Claxton was very much in his ‘A’ game as he shut the door on numerous Coquitlam chances while his teammates made some hay. At 10:22, Jake Cullen connected on a power play as they moved the ball well with the extra man. Ryan Lewis notched a shorthanded goal at 16:38, diving across in close and that was how the period ended, much to the delight of the fans as the Adanacs had the edge in shots 16-12.

Unfortunately the lead would not hold up as Coquitlam rattled off 3 goals in 1:12 of the middle frame, Mike Messenger got a breakaway off an interception to score at 2:41. Brett Kujala followed up at 3:37, faking high and shooting low in alone. Just 16 seconds later, Chase McIntyre made it 5-4 Coquitlam off the faceoff win. Mason Pynn tied things up for the Rocks at 4:33 with a bullet from the dotted line but Coquitlam added two more before the intermission, Pace picking up his second at 7:02 and Kujala getting his second at 17:49 although it looked mysteriously like there was an extra person wearing the yellow and purple jersey. Shots on goal again favoured the visitors 19-14 and they were now up on the scoreboard 7-5.

Play was rough and rugged and the officiating not the best we’ve seen. They didn’t change the outcome of the game but it was pretty off. Coquitlam got the first two goals of the period, McLean Chicquen tallied for the Shamrocks to put the meat into the sandwich and the A’s rattled off two more to salt away the win, the final two goals scored into the empty net as Victoria had Claxton on the bench for the extra attacker in an attempt to come back.

It was another tough loss but no doubt these young Shamrock players are gaining some valuable experience along the way and they are not quitters so they’ll give it their best to the end. Leading the way offensively for the Shamrocks was McLean Chicquen with a goal and 2 helpers. Jake Cullen and Mason Pynn chipped a goal and an assist each with other goals coming from Max Fredrickson, Derek Lecky and Ryan Wade. Game 3 goes at the Coquitlam Sports Centre next Saturday, another 2:30 start and, should a fourth game be required it will be played at the Q Centre Sunday, July 20 back in the friendly confines of the Q Centre.

Janice Huckin