Shamrocks Sink Lakers

The Jr. A Shamrocks hosted the Burnaby Lakers Saturday and picked up a hard-fought 11-6 victory. Standings are very tight in the middle of the pack with both teams looking for points.

Angus Snow took up his position in Victoria’s crease while Arjun Gill got the nod for the visitors. Scoring was scarce in the opening period, the Shamrocks emerging with a 2-1 lead after 20 minutes. Team captain Greysen Thompson got the home team on the board just 27 seconds in with a hard shot from outside the dotted half-circle. Oscar Lucas tied things up at 4:47 getting in close and cutting in front. Marcelo Carreiro regained Victoria’s lead at 13:04 grabbing a rebound in front, that goal coming on 1 of 2 power plays in the period.

If we wondered where the offense was, we were about to find some early in the middle frame as the Shamrocks rattled off 3 goals in 36 seconds. Dawson Wade was in on all three, scoring twice and assisting on the other. It started at 2:14 when Wade scored from the side of the net with an extra attacker on the floor for a delayed penalty call. Off the ensuing faceoff he capitalized on a give-and-go at 2:22. Ben Pawluk capped the 3-goal run picking the top corner at 2:50. Burnaby had a reply at 10:25, Spencer White scoring on a hard, low shot from outside the dotted line. Victoria rounded out scoring with Thompson collecting his second, a nice quick stick in front after a successful penalty kill. The home team had the 6-2 lead heading into the second intermission and a 34-24 edge in shots over 40 minutes.

The teams combined for 9 goals in the final frame, Victoria again tallying early as Wade picked up his hat trick marker at the 19-second mark. The Lakers got that one back at 1:02, Daniel Battistin connecting on a hard, low shot. The Rocks kept pushing and Thompson connected for his third at 3:59 with a bullet from well out. Quinn Cramb followed up at 5:38 from just inside the dotted line. The teams traded goals after that, Kian Yargeau getting in alone to score for the visitors at 11:21. Just 27 seconds later Ryan Lowe restored Victoria’s 6-goal lead. Liam Connors answered from outside the dotted line at 13:23. Ollie Pemberton scored a shorthander for the Shamrocks on a run at 15:59 but Burnaby scored on the power play at 17:05, Connors getting his second of the game to close out the scoring. Overall shots favored Victoria 53-36.

Victoria got hat tricks and 1 assist each from Greysen Thompson and Dawson Wade. Quinn Cramb and Marcelo Carreiro each chipped in a goal and 2 helpers. Dylan Anderson, Kurtis Guilbault and Jr. B call-up Breckyn Williams each contributed a pair of assists while Ryan Lowe and Ollie Pemberton had 1 of each, Pemberton also turning in a stellar defensive performance. Ben Pawluk had the other Victoria goal. Sometimes forgotten among the scorers are the faceoff specialists and Cooper Anderson won 13 of 20 for the Rocks while goaltender Angus Snow made 29 saves to pick up the win.

The Shamrocks are in Coquitlam Sunday to take on the Adanacs and return to the Q Center on Tuesday, June 16 to host the Delta Islanders at 5:30 pm.

- Janice Huckin