Victoria Shamrocks (2-0) at New Westminster Salmonbellies (1-0) Preview

 Victoria Shamrocks (2-0) at New Westminster Salmonbellies (1-0)

Thursday June 1, 7:30pm at Queen’s Park arena, New Westminster

 

Written by Justis Doucet

After a 2-0 start at the Q Centre, the Victoria Shamrocks head to the mainland for the first time in 2017 for a date with the New Westminster Salmonbellies. In a battle of the only two unbeaten teams, Victoria (2-0) faces off against New Westminster (1-0) who topped Nanaimo in their home opener.

In New Westminster's home opener win, four players scored two or more goals. Logan Schuss (3), Mitch Jones (3), Daniel McQuade (2) and Anthony Malcom (2) accounted for ten of their 12 goals in a 12-7 win over Nanaimo. Tye Belanger sits second in the league in both goals against average and save percentage in the Salmonbellies crease. New Westminster has struggled on the man advantage (1/8) but has the league's second-best penalty kill (6/7).

Victoria has overcome a pair of slow starts with near perfect third periods in their opening two games. The Shamrocks have outscored opponents 6-2 in third periods this year and outscored Burnaby 6-2 in the second period last game. With Corey Small's four-goal performance against Burnaby, he now leads the WLA in every positive statistical category with 15 points (1st), 6 goals (T-1st), 9 assists (1st), and 31 shots (1st).

Victoria's 21 goals through two games are most in the WLA and their +6 differential is also a the top. New Westminster won their opener 12-7 and sit 2nd in differential at +5. The Shamrocks have also been the most disciplined team in the WLA averaging 11 penalty minutes per game.

Home teams have a record of 4-2 through the first two weeks of the season, with the Shamrocks contributing two of those and New Westminster a single.

The game is available on Pay Per View from victoriashamrocks.com under the Fan Zone tab or follow us on social media.

Live game stats: http://westernlacrosse.wttstats.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=3102243

Regular season stats to date: http://westernlacrosse.wttstats.pointstreak.com/scoringleaders.html?leagueid=258

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

Next game: (HOME) Friday June 2nd vs Coquitlam Adanacs, 7:30pm at The Q centre.  Family Night presented by Wilson’s Transportation, Tickets HERE or 250-478-7625