Shamrocks Open Series with Timbermen

The Victoria Shamrocks open the 2019 WLA Semifinal Series presented by Telus against the Nanaimo Timbermen tonight at 7:30 pm at the Q Centre. 

The series is a rematch of last season when the Shamrocks defeated the Timbermen in 5 games. 

After a run that saw the Shamrocks finish the season go 11-2-0, Victoria finished the 2019 WLA regular season with 24 points and the 1st seed in the league's postseason dance. The Timbermen were just 3 points behind in the ultra-competitive standings. 

The Shamrocks dropped the season opener to the Timbermen 11-6 back on May 24th, before taking both games in Nanaimo by scores of 12-9 and 10-5.  

Shamrocks Rookie of the Year Chris Boushy led the club in scoring during the regular season with 37 goals and 57 points. Nanaimo was led by Jon Phillips who appeared in all 18 games posting 27 goals and 42 assists for 69 points.  In goal, the Shamrocks split time between Cody Hagedorn and Pete Dubenski with each goaltender earning six wins on the season.  There is no doubt who the starting goaltender for Nanaimo is as Charles Claxton appeared in 14 games going 6-7-1 on the year.  Claxton was twice named a game star against the Shamrocks during the regular season. 

After starting the season with three straight losses at the Q Centre, the Shamrocks righted the ship and have won 6 consecutive games on home turf heading into tonight.  The Timbermen were the road warriors of the WLA this year going an impressive 6-2-1 away from Frank Crane Arena while reregistering a record of just 4-5-0 at home. 

Game 2 of the best of seven series is set for Thursday evening at Frank Crane Arena.