Victoria Shamrocks head to Burnaby with top spot in mind

Victoria Shamrocks (10-4-1) at Burnaby Lakers (8-5-1) Preview

Friday July 21st, 7:00pm, Bill Copeland arena, Burnaby

Written by Justis Doucet

Burnaby – As been the case for every game in the WLA this season, Friday night in Burnaby will be another big game for the Shamrocks. They visit a Burnaby Lakers squad that is just four points back with a game in hand.  The Lakers are the only team that Victoria has yet to play twice, meaning a win on the mainland locks up the season series for Victoria, and more importantly, the tiebreaker.

It's been almost two months since Victoria has seen the Lakers, and since then, both teams have improved. Victoria has added pieces such as Aaron Bold, Evan Messenger, Tyler Burton and Joe Resetarits to name a few, while the Lakers were without their top two scorers on May 26th in Victoria. Eli McLaughlin and Robert Church have combined for ninety-six points in twenty-two games, and McLaughlin's fifty is third in the league.

Victoria has now locked up a playoff berth, the next task is clinching home floor in the playoffs, the Shamrocks have a four point cushion over Burnaby and New Westminster. Meanwhile, after a Maple Ridge loss to New Westminster earlier this week the Shamrocks sit one point behind the Burrards but have a game in hand.

The Shamrocks final three games all have major playoff implications, after Friday Victoria has just under a week off before they finish the season on a back-to-back in New Westminster on Thursday, then host Burnaby on Friday July 28th for the annual Fan Appreciation game and tailgate at the cozy confines of The Q Centre.

Corey Small is eight points away from matching his career high of eighty-six points (2013) and has already surpassed last seasons total of seventy-five points. His thirty-five goals are the third most of his career, he scored forty-two twice, 2012 and 2013.  Casey Jackson is just two points off of his career high of fifty-four points set back in his last full season. His twenty-six goals have crushed his previous best of seventeen, with still three games to go.

Pay Per View: http://www.playfullscreen.com/player.php?mediaid=20556

Live game stats: http://westernlacrosse.wttstats.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=3102289

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 (AWAY): Thursday July 27th at New Westminster Salmonbellies, 7:30pm, Queens Park arena

Next HOME game: Friday July 28th vs Burnaby Lakers, 7:30pm at The Q Centre. Fan Appreciation night presented by SLEGG Building Materials with a tailgate at 5:30 and lots of prizes all night; Tickets at HERE or by calling 250-478-7625.