Victoria loses a close one in Burnaby and now host Game 6 at home on Sunday

Victoria Shamrocks 6 at Burnaby Lakers 8 Semi-Final game 5 recap

Victoria leads best of 7 series 3-2

Written by Justis Doucet

It took almost 14 minutes to find the first goal of the game as both goaltenders stood tall in the opening period. Corey Small finished off a pick and roll with Casey Jackson to open the scoring on his sixth of the playoffs. The Shamrocks added insurance as Aaron Bold stretched out Steve Priolo on a shorthanded breakaway, and Priolo beat Eric Penney for his second of the series. Burnaby would cut the lead in half near the end of the frame on a Dane Stevens unassisted goal. Both teams had their chances up a man, going 0/2 on the power play but Victoria led 2-1 after the first.

Eli McLaughin squared the game up just under three minutes into the second on a power play goal, making it 2-2. Shortly after Victoria responded, on a delayed penalty call Evan Messenger used a wrap around before switching hands to score his third of the playoffs. The Rocks restored the two goal lead on a Casey Jackson quick-stick at the side of the net, then Small netted his second of the game on another delayed penalty call. Those three goals came in just 3 minutes giving the Shamrocks the 5-2 advantage. The Shamrocks would add another four minutes later as Resetarits beat Penney to make it 6-2. Burnaby, who started the second period scoring, also finished it on Robert Church's goal with 1:56 left in the stanza, as Victoria was doubling up Burnaby 6-3 after forty minutes.

The Lakers outscored Victoria in the third period to force a game six back in Victoria on Sunday night. Aaron Bold was named the game's third star stopping thirty-five shots. Burnaby's Jason Jones and Robert Church were second and first stars of the game.

Season ticket holders have their seat(s) guaranteed until 5pm on Saturday for Sundays game and they can be purchased during our extended playoff hours by calling 250-478-7625 from 9am-5pm every day, at the team store (#120-967 Langford Parkway) from 10am–1pm on Saturday or at The Q Centre arena (1767 Island Highway) after noon on Sunday.  Tickets other than held season tickets can be purchased anytime at victoriashamrocks.com. 

Full game stats: http://westernlacrosse.wttstats.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=3170684

Playoff stats: http://westernlacrosse.wttstats.pointstreak.com/scoringleaders.html?leagueid=258

Shamrock stats: http://westernlacrosse.wttstats.pointstreak.com/teamplayerstats.html?teamid=673543&seasonid=17341

Next game (HOME) (Game 6 in the best of 7 series): Sunday August 13th, 6pm, The Q Centre, Tickets at HERE, by calling 250-478-7625, team store at 967 Langford Parkway or the arena at noon on game day.