Rocks Clinch First, Sweep Timbermen

 August 6, 2016

 Nanaimo Timbermen 8 @ Victoria Shamrocks 11 Game Recap

Rocks Clinch First, Sweep Timbermen

By Janice Huckin

The Shamrocks swept their series against the Nanaimo Timbermen with an 11-8 victory over their island rivals at the Q Centre Friday night and in doing so, clinched first overall and home floor advantage through the WLA playoffs. 

Starting goaltenders were Cody Hagedorn for the home team and Pete Dubenski for the visitors.  The Shamrocks ran up a 4-0 lead before the Timbermen found the back of the Shamrocks net.  The shots on goal were 18-11 in Victoria’s favour and they had the 4-1 lead on the board.  Nanaimo was closer in shots on goal in the period, outshot 19-17 but they were still a long way back on the scoreboard down by a 9-4 margin.

Give Nanaimo credit, they didn’t quit and outscored the home team 4-2 in the final period as well as outshooting them 12-11.  Victoria swept the 3 stars with Rhys Duch, Jeff Shattler and Chris Wardle going 1-2-3.   Duch finished with 4 goals and 2 assists while Corey Small had 2 goals and 3 helpers.  Chris Wardle had 2 goals and 2 assists, Jeff Shattler chipped in 4 points on a goal and 3 helpers and Cory Conway had a goal and 4 assists.  Tyler Burton had the other Shamrocks goal.  Cody Hagedorn had 33 saves to pick up the win.

The win clinches first place for the Shamrocks, despite being tied in points with the New Westminster Salmonbellies.  The Rocks have one game left as they travel to Coquitlam for the second consecutive Saturday, August 6 to take on the Adanacs and finish up the WLA regular season.

With positions now established, regardless of Saturday’s outcome, the Shamrocks will take on the Burnaby Lakers in a best-of-seven semi final starting Tuesday, August 9 at the Q Centre.  That game starts at 7:45 with game 2 to follow Thursday in Burnaby and game 3 back at the Q Friday, August 12 but with an earlier – 6:00 pm start.

 

STATS

Complete game stats: http://www.victoriashamrocks.com/stats/game//307/league/61828

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

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

Video highlites: https://youtu.be/m83oh2e444k

Next game (Away): Sat, August 6th, Victoria @ Coquitlam, 7pm (End of regular season)