Shamrocks Squeak By Salmonbellies

May 30, 2015

The Jr. Shamrocks came from behind Saturday at the Q Centre to squeak out a 12-9 victory against the visiting New Westminster Salmonbellies. It didn’t look promising in the early going as the Bellies held a 3-0 lead early, but the Rocks kept working hard and the win evens the season series 1-1 with the rubber match still to come in Queen’s Park Arena.

Charles Claxton got the start in goal for the Rocks with Michael Flintoff guarding the crease at the other end of the floor. Before the crowd had resumed their seats following the national anthem, the visitors had a 1-0 lead, Connor Robinson getting in close to score just 23 seconds in. At 1:50, Robinson picked up his second in almost identical fashion.   Brandon Clelland gave New West a 3-0 lead at 2:34 prompting the Shamrocks coaching staff to call a time-out. The strategy worked as Claxton settled down and the Rocks found their offensive legs. Cole Pickup tallied for the Shamrocks at 4:29 after some great ball control, firing a hard shot from the dotted line. Victoria captain Max Fredrickson fired a laser and the Rocks were within a goal. The Bellies re-claimed the –goal lead at 10:56, Carter Dickson finding twine but the home team replied with a pair late in the period. At 17:10, Zac Christianson got on a run to the net and collected a pass, that goal coming shorthanded. Ryan Lewis closed out the period at 18:19, getting in close to send the teams to the dressing room, even at 4-4.

The Shamrocks took a 5-minute major penalty early in the middle frame and the visitors took full advantage with a pair of power play goals at 2:57 and 3:45 to take a 6-4 lead. Once again the Shamrocks got into gear, scoring the next 4 goals. At 7:01 it was Max Cullen getting in close and 39 seconds later Matt Hamilton tallied to get things even. Victoria took its first lead of the game at 9:50, Jake Cullen getting to the net and at 13:31 a power play marker off the stick of McLean Chicquen got the Rocks ahead by 2. They didn’t hold it for long as the Bellies replied with an unassisted tally at 16:07 from Peyton Lupul and another at 17:49 from Johnny Pearson. It looked like we might be heading to the final period with nothing solved but the Shamrocks rattled off 2 goals in a span of 8 seconds in the final minute to take a 2-goal lead into the final period. Jake Cullen picked up his second at 19:35, working in close and making good use of some great ball control. Off the ensuing faceoff, Danny Smith took off down the floor and scored.

The third period saw only 3 goals scored as both teams were strong defensively. New West scored first, Pearson collecting his second at the 1:30 mark. It stayed just a 1-goal game until the 12:53 mark when Chicquen picked up his second for the Shamrocks with a bouncer in close. Nick Preston got the insurance goal at 16:38 with a spin-around shot and that was the margin of victory.

Jake Cullen and McLean Chicquen each had 2 goals for the Shamrocks while Cole Pickup had a 5-point night with a goal and 4 helpers. Ryan Lewis chipped in a goal and 3 assists. Other scoring was spread around with singles coming from Max Cullen, Matt Hamilton, Max Fredrickson, Danny Smith, Zac Christianson, Cole Pickup and Nick Preston. Charles Claxton was once again a workhorse between the pipes, stopping 48 of the 57 shots sent his way and picking up an assist.

The Shamrocks are on the road Sunday to face the Burnaby Lakers and next Saturday against the Delta Islanders. They return to the Q Centre on Tuesday, June 9 to host the Nanaimo Timbermen. That game is at 8:00.

Janice Huckin