Shamrocks Move into Playoffs

A yearafter missing the post-season, the Jr. Shamrocks bounced the Langley Thunder 8-7 Sunday on the mainland to win the wild card game and move into the semi-finals.  They will take on the first place Coquitlam Adanacs while, in the other series the New Westminster Salmonbellies will face the Port Coquitlam Saints. 

At the Langley Events Centre, the Shamrocks started Will Kinnaird between the pipes while Jake Sundar got the nod for the Thunder. The Rocks struck first, Brad McCulley scoring at 2:09 from outside the dotted line.  Langley replied at 5:37, Ryan Martel getting in close with the teams playing 4-on-4 to tie things up.  The home squad took the lead at 7:50 with Martel’s second goal of the game, on the power play, from just inside the dotted line.  Marshal King got the Shamrocks even at 16:50 with a hard shot from outside the dotted line and Braylon Lumb put the visitors up 3-2 at 18:41, getting on a run, that goal coming with his team shorthanded.  Shots on goal were 14-12 with Victoria holding the edge and also up 3-2 on the scoreboard after 20 minutes. 

Langley tied the score early in the middle frame, Nathaniel Kozevnikov tallying at 1:58 with a hard, low shot and the extra attacker on the floor on a delayed penalty call.  The Rocks rattled off 3 straight, beginning with King’s second of the game at 7:50 with the teams playing 4-on-4 once again.  David Byrne made it 5-3 Shamrocks with a loose ball pickup at centre floor and getting in alone.  Skyler Griffin added another for the visitors at 13:05 with a quick stick in close. Sundar was replaced by Torin Vanrheenan in goal and the Thunder replied almost immediately Kozevnikov getting his second at 13:35 but King got his hat trick marker for the Shamrocks at 14:47 from way outside the dotted line.  Victoria outshot the Thunder 15-12 in the period and after two periods had a 7-4 lead. 

TheThunder scored very early in the final period, Mitch McDole connecting just 25s econds in on a hard shot from outside the dotted line.  King collected his fourth of the game for the Shamrocks, a shorthanded marker at 5:31 getting in close.  The game wasn’t yet out of reach and Langley came back strong.  Nathan McKeigan scored at 9:45 off a rebound in front to close the gap to a pair of goals and MacKenzie Rope scored at 10:38 to make it a 1-goal game. Despite several chances late in the game,  Kinnaird was outstanding between the pipes for the Shamrocks as they held on for the victory.  Langley had a big 19-9 edge in shots on goal in the final 20 minutes, 43-38 overall. 

Leading the way offensively for the Shamrocks, who were and will be without their captain and leading scorer Cole Pickup for the duration, was Marshal King with 4 goals and 2 assists.  Since returning from school King is averaging close to 6 points per game.  Skyler Wilson, Braylon Lumb, David Byrne and Brad McCulley each added singles with McCulley chipping in 2 assists.  Nick Preston also had a pair of helpers while Will Kinnaird kicked out 36 of the 43 shots he faced. 

The Rocks will travel to Coquitlam to begin their best-of-five semi final next Saturday, July 15 and return to the Q Centre Sunday, July 16 for game 2.  Both games are scheduled for a 2:00 pm start.  Coquitlam lost just 1 game in the  regularseason so the Shamrocks will be the underdogs but don’t expect them to roll over and play dead.