Shamrocks Move on to Minto Cup Semi-Final

The Jr. Shamrocks have had a tough trail at the 2026 Minto Cup but, after a pair of tight losses, their offense came to life in game 3 as they handed the St. Catherine’s Athletics a 14-7 loss, thus moving into the semi-final Wednesday.

Greyson Beggs started in goal for Victoria with Ty Wilson his counterpart at the other end of the floor.  Ryan Lowe got the Shamrocks going early, getting a power play goal just 3:25 in on a hard, low shot from outside the dotted line.  The A’s responded with a pair, Isaiah Paul picking up a rebound in front at 4:53 and Arrow Booth connecting at 6:05 to give the Ontario champs a 2-1 lead.  Evan Mcdougall knotted the score at 2 on a run, getting in close at 8:50.  The teams traded goals, Simon Marshall putting St. Catherine’s up at 9:33, walking around Victoria’s defense but Jett Klassen tied things up again at 12:08 with a bouncer.  Off the ensuing faceoff the Shamrocks forced a loose ball and Quinn Cramb scored to make it 4-3 at 12:23.  Once more the teams traded goals, Booth picking up his second for the Athletics at 12:S57 from behind the net.  The Shamrocks capitalized on another power play when Klassen notched his second at 13:14 (the fourth combined goal in 1:06) from outside the dotted line.  Shots were 19-16 in favour of the Athletics but the Shamrocks had the 5-4 edge on the scoreboard after 20 minutes.

Period 2 began with yet another Shamrocks power play goal, Carter Quested tallying at 4:55, just 8 seconds into the man advantage from outside the dotted arc.  While St. Catherines continued their parade to the sin bin, Victoria continued to make them pay and Lowe collected his second on the power play at 8:31 picking up a rebound in front.  That made the score 7-4 and the offense kept rolling.  Marcelo Carreiro, going to the net at 10:46 made it a 4-goal gap.  Booth finally replied for the A’s at 12:31 on a 5-on-3 man advantage but Victoria captain Greysen Thompson capped second period scoring at 14:29 from outside the dotted line.  The Rocks were ahead 9-5 on the scoreboard and 38-35 in shots.

Victoria scored the first 2 goals of the final frame and they were both courtesy of the man with the hot stick – Ryan Lowe.  The first came at 5:37 from outside the dotted line as he fired cross floor and the second, his fourth of the game came on the power play at 7:22.  Jameson Bucktooth managed to squeeze in a pair for St. Catherine’s, the first at 9:26 with the teams playing 4-on-4 and then at 10:25 on a power play.  That closed the gap to 11-7 but the Shamrocks rattled off the final 3 goals of the contest beginning with Carreiro’s second at 12:53 followed by Lowe’s fifth at 16:49, once again on the power play and Thompson’s second at 17:11.  Shots favoured Victoria 53-50 and they were full value for the 14-7 victory.

As noted Ryan Lowe led Victoria offensively with 5 goals and 3 assists while Greysen Thompson added 2 goals and 5 assists and Evan Mcdougall contributed 7 points on a goal and 6 helpers.  Jett Klassen chipped in 2 goals and 2 assists, Marcelo Carreiro 2 goals and 1 helper, Carter Quested a goal and 2 assists.  Quinn Cramb scored once, Dawson Wade added 2 assists with Cooper Anderson, Luca Pivetta and Parker Sorensen chipping in an assist each. Greyson Beggs was stellar in goal making 43 saves to pick up the win.

For the Athletics Arrow Booth had the hat trick and 2 assists, Jameson Bucktooth 2 of each and Isaiah Paul a goal and 2 helpers.  Simon Marshall had the other goal and Zachary Toll chipped in 3 assists.

The Shamrocks will face The Calgary Mountaineers at 8:00 pm  local time Wednesday in a one game semi-final. The winner of the game wiil then face the Raiders Lacrosse Club, also frpom Calgary, starting August 21st in a best of three playoff for the Minto Cup. 

   Janice Huckin