Shamrocks Head to New Westminster Looking to Stay Hot

The Victoria Shamrocks (5-4-0) travel to New Westminster today to take on the Salmonbellies (5-4-0) in a key WLA matchup. 

The Shamrocks and Salmonbellies find themselves all even in the WLA standings at the season's mid-way mark.  The Nanaimo Timbermen are also in the mix with 10 points as well, though the Timbermen hold two games in hand on both Victoria and New Westminster, making todays matchup all the more important. 

Both clubs played last night, with each experiencing a different result.  The Shamrocks took care of business at home with an 8-5 win over the Langley Thunder.  The Salmonbellies meanwhile dropped a 14-13 OT decision to the league leading Burnaby Lakers. 

The Shamrocks defeated the Salmonbellies in their first matchup of the season back on June 14th at the Q Centre. Larson Sundown was instrumental in that win as he notched 4 goals.  In fact, Sundown has been a key cog in the Shamrocks recent resurgence after their slow start.  Since joining the lineup back on June 6th against Nanaimo, all Sundown has done is contribute offensively.  In just 6 games, Sundown leads the Shamrocks with 10 goals and 13 assists for 23 points.  To date, all six of Sundown's games have been multi-point performances.  

The Salmonbellies pose problems of their own for the Shamrocks defence and goaltending.  Austin Shanks is 2nd in WLA goal scoring with 20, and Mitch Jones leads the circuit in assists with 28.  Jones' 39 points is good for 4th in league scoring, 2 points ahead of teammate Jordan McBride's 37. 

After tonight, the Shamrocks face another key contest as a trip to Nanaimo lurks on the horizon on Thursday night.