Maple Ridge Burrards 8 @ Victoria Shamrocks 14 Game Recap

July 15, 2016

Maple Ridge Burrards 8 @ Victoria Shamrocks 14

Game Recap

By: Lucas Wilson

A lot was on the line heading into Friday night’s game against the Maple Ridge Burrards. With the WLA schedule coming down the stretch, the Shamrocks were sitting just one point ahead of the Burrards, but still hot in pursuit of the New Westminster Salmonbellies for top spot in the WLA. The Shamrocks came more than ready to play on Friday night, and finished the game with a decisive 14-8 win.

The Shamrocks came out of the gate quickly and within the first two minutes of the game, goals from Cory Conway and Jeff Shattler made it 2-0. The Burrards would respond a few minutes later with goals from Dan Taylor and Ben McIntosh, which tied the game. On the ensuing face-off, Tyler Burton had one of his famous “do-it-himself” moments, and barreled through the Burrards defense to put the Shamrocks back in front. Shattler and Rhys Duch each added goals, which gave the Shamrocks a three-goal lead late in the period. With the clock winding down, the Burrards pulled goalie Frank Scigliano to try to draw themselves closer heading into the second period. They got sloppy in the offensive zone, and the Shamrocks made them pay. Jon Harnett got possession, passed it up to Ben McCullough, who fired it into a yawning net.

Shamrocks Nation sat easy on the four-goal lead as they enjoyed an incredible performance from Victoria-based rocker Jesse Roper in the first intermission. In the first half of the second period the teams traded goals, which resulted to an 8-4 Shamrocks lead at the 8:00 mark. Chris Wardle would add two more goals to complete his hat trick late in the period, as the Shamrocks took a 10-4 lead into the third.

Wardle picked up where he left off to start the third, as he tallied his fourth to make it an 11-4 game just two minutes in. A few minutes later, Josh Fagan jumped up in the play to score a goal, making him the third Shamrocks defensemen to score in the game. Burrards forward Luke Gillespie went on an impressive run, scoring three consecutive goals to draw his team to within five with eight minutes to play. However, Duch quickly responded for the Shamrocks to put this one out of reach. After a very late goal by Riley Loewen, time ran out for the Burrards, and the Shamrocks left with a convincing win.

Shamrocks head coach Bob Heyes held a “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mentality with his goaltending situation. After Adam Shute led the Shamrocks to wins in the previous two games, he started once again. Shute made 20 saves on 28 shots to maintain his league lead in goals against average. The WLA’s offensive leader boards continue to get greener and greener as well. After scoring four goals on Friday night, Wardle joined Corey Small in the race for second place in league goal scoring, behind Duch. With one goal and six assists on Friday night, Conway brought his point total to 60, now just seven behind Duch for the league lead in points. It is abundantly clear that these players care little about these statistical races as they head down the stretch. In the last three games, the Shamrocks have put up 44 goals, so gaudy offensive numbers are bound to come from the impressive offensive core. Throw in Jesse King, and this offense will look to be unstoppable heading into the final games of the season. With the win, the Shamrocks sit just two points back of the Salmonbellies with two games in hand.

The Shamrocks do not play at home again for two weeks. In the meantime, they play next Friday in Burnaby, and the following Wednesday in Langley. For information on where to view away games, visit www.victoriashamrocks.com.

STATS

Complete game stats: http://www.victoriashamrocks.com/stats/game//307/league/61812

Shamrocks stats to date: http://www.victoriashamrocks.com/stats/team/62/307/league//8071

WLA leaders: http://www.victoriashamrocks.com/stats/leaders

Game photos (credit Kevin Light):  https://www.dropbox.com/sh/8j81cv9bs7ni34z/AAAI2eZQNlKF-rPYoLWzFLNua?dl=0

Next Game: Home, Friday July 29 vs Burnaby, 7:45, The Q Centre, “Family Day” presented by Wilson’s Transportation