Shamrocks See Playoffs Slip Away

The Jr. Shamrocks saw their playoff hopes slip away as they dropped a 17-13 decision to the Delta Islanders Sunday in Ladner. A win would have pulled them 2 points ahead of the Langley Thunder. Although they held an 8-3 first period lead, they gave up 4 unanswered goals in period 2 and saw the game, and their playoff hopes, evaporate in a 15-goal third period.

Mitch Gurney started between the pipes for the Shamrocks while newcomer from Ontario, Kevin Orleman got the nod for the Islanders. The teams traded goals early as first Victoria, then Delta scored 2-goal runs. Marshal King scored from the dotted line at 2:13 and David Byrne followed up at 2:35 on a break in alone to give the Shamrocks the early lead. Cam Milligan replied for Delta at 3:02 and Chase Fraser tied the game at 5:35, cutting in. King once again gave the visitors the lead with a quick stick in front at 7:42 but a power play goal from Fraser at 12:48 once again knotted the score before Victoria went on a 4-goal run. King picked up a pair, giving him 4 in the period, the first at 13:24 with a hard, low shot and the second at 15:16 collecting a cross-floor pass at the side of the crease. Braylon Lumb made it 6-2 at 15:32 and Daniel Smith added an unassisted tally at 16:30 on a run before Tyler Mace made it 8-3, coming in off the faceoff at 16:41. Delta made a goaltending change, Ryland Hood replacing Orleman as the Islanders went to the dressing room after 20 minutes down by a handful.

The second period was all Delta, although there was no scoring until the 12:51 mark of the period when Spencer Bromley put a shot in over top of Gurney. Riley Phillips added another at 14:11 and Milligan got his second of the contest at 15:23 with a quick stick in front. Aidan Milburn closed the gap to a single goal at 16:13, getting in close on a run and that was how the period would end, with Victoria holding an 8-7 lead, despite being outshot 40-35 over the two periods.

Period 3 was a goalfest and the score was tied several times before Delta got on a 3-goal run just after the 5-minute mark to open up a 13-10 lead which they would not relinquish. They put together another 3-goal run in 58 seconds just after the 13-minute mark as Victoria’s defense seemed to disappear as Delta forwards got in alone time after time. A slew of penalties was assessed with 4 seconds remaining in the period, no doubt a result of frustration.

Victoria was led offensively by Marshal King with 5 goals and 2 assists as he now heads off to join Team Canada in the FIL U-19 World Lacrosse tournament. He won’t have to go far as the tournament this year is being held in Coquitlam. Unfortunately, for his teammates, their season is over as the best the Shamrocks can do is tie with Langley, who holds the tie-breaker with 2 wins against 1 loss in head to head competition. Langley has 2 games remaining, against New Westminster and Coquitlam.

- Janice Huckin