Thunder prevail over Shamrocks in goaltending duel

    July 7, 2017

Victoria Shamrocks 5 at Langley Thunder 6 recap

 

Langley - The Victoria Shamrocks faced off against the Langley Thunder for the first time since opening night, a thrilling 10-9 win for the Shamrocks on a last second goal by Cody Nass. Wednesday night on the mainland was the opposite, in more ways than one.

It took Victoria just thirteen seconds to start the scoring as Sheldon Burns was stopped cutting out of the corner, but Josh Fagan was open on the doorstep to pot the loose ball. The Shamrocks would add insurance a few minutes later, Casey Jackson worked his way around the offensive zone before ripping a sub-shot on the run low stick side to tickle the twine. That was all the scoring in the opening twenty minutes, Langley had the only power play but was unable to convert. Cody Hagedorn was spectacular in the first, stopping all twenty-one shots he saw, including several chances in tight.

It took twenty-nine minutes and fifteen seconds for Langley to beat Hagedorn, who was incredible in the second period as well. Cole Shafter cut the 'Rocks lead in half at 9:15, then Brandon Clelland tied it just ten seconds later. Halfway through the game, the teams sat deadlocked at two. Then Chris Wardle sprung Cole Pickup on a breakaway, and the call-up made no mistake, scoring his eighth of the season in his fifth game to retake the lead. Then just over two minutes later, still while shorthanded, Evan Messenger collected the ball at the side of the net, noticed Diruscio was out of the Langley goal, then ran behind the net, diving through the crease and slam dunking it on the far side. The ball crossed the line with one second left in the period, and the goal was the first marker for the Shamrocks 2017 first round pick. Victoria jumped out to a 4-2 lead after forty minutes. The Shamrocks had yet to have a power play, yet would start the third four-on-four as Diruscio was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct on the Messenger goal. At the other end of the floor, Cody Hagedorn had stopped thirty-five of the thirty-seven Langley shots.

The Thunder trimmed it to one early in the third, as Shafer scored his second of the night on the power play. Pickup restored the two-goal Victoria lead with his second of the game. The 'Rocks led 5-3 with four minutes left, then James Rahe trimmed it to one with 3:51 left. Brandon Clelland tied it thirty seconds later at six. Victoria had their chances to re-take the lead but could not convert, before Rahe buried his second of the night with sixty-five seconds left as the eventual game winner. Chris Wardle led all Shamrocks with a three-point night, all assists, Cole Pickup scored a pair of goals, and Cody Hagedorn stopped fifty of fifty-six shots.

The Shamrocks look for revenge Friday as they welcome the Thunder to the Q Centre for the final time this season. Friday’s game is also FILL THE CUPBOARD NIGHT presented by Island Savings, fans that bring a non-perishable food item or cash donation to the game will be entered to win prizes and help our local foodbanks.

Complete Game Stats: http://www.playfullscreen.com/player.php?mediaid=20529

Shamrocks player stats: http://westernlacrosse.wttstats.pointstreak.com/teamplayerstats.html?teamid=31984&seasonid=17042

Next game (HOME): Friday July 7th vs Langley Thunder, 7:30pm at The Q centre. Fill the Cupboard Night (bring a non-perishable food item) presented by Island Savings, Tickets HERE or by calling 250-478-7625.