A Perfect End To A Perfect Season

New Westminster, BC ~ The Victoria Shamrocks defeated the New Westminster Salmonbellies 11-5 on Thursday night from Queen's Park Arena to cap off a perfect 18-0 season.

Victoria started the game off strong and were staked to a 3-0 lead with nine and a half minutes gone thanks to two tallies from Casey Wilson and one from Mathieu Gauthier. The 'Bellies responded with a couple of markers just six seconds apart to cut the Shamrocks lead to one. Those goals coming at 10:28 and 10:34 of the 1st.

Casey Wilson decided he wasn't done his first period scoring parade by making it a hat trick in the opening frame at 15:24. New West would score with a second remaining on the clock to make it a one goal 'Rocks lead going to the opening intermission.

Liam Phillips, Cole Pickup and Kyle Pepper all found the back of the net for Victoria in the first 11:40 of the second to give the Shamrocks to a 7-3 lead. The Salmonbellies refused to stay down, however, and improbably netted two goals in 6 seconds yet again.

Mathieu Gauthier closed the second period with his second of the game to give the Shamrocks an 8-5 lead going into the third.

Victoria, as they have done all season long, slammed the door in the third period. Marshal King, Ronan Pusch and Adam Jay were the men finding their marks in the final period of play to close out the game in emphatic fashion.

Quick Quips:

The Shamrocks become the first team in WLA history to finish a season by winning every game (18-0). They are the second team to not lose a game in regulation. The only other squad to do that was the Victoria Shamrocks 20 years ago who went 19-0-1 (that tie being their only blemish)

Chris Origlieri was named the first star of the game in goal for the Shamrocks. He made 39 saves on 44 shots to close out the season as the top goaltender in; Wins (10), Goals Against Average (6.70) and Save Percentage (.842).

With a hat trick on Thursday night, Casey Wilson finishes the year with an impressive 21 goals and 44 points in just 13 games. The University of Denver star added to his impressive resume with a standout sophomore season

Mathieu Gauthier found the back of the net twice and ended the 2024 regular season as a very impressive rookie who scored 24 goals and 39 points in 17 games. He is sure to be a large part of the Shamrocks future plans.

Clarke Petterson had four assists for the 'Rocks and in eight summer games tallied 27 points. Impressive stuff from the highly anticipated summer signing 

The Shamrocks will take on the Salmonbellies in the first round of the WLA playoffs beginning Wednesday (August 7th) of this coming week from the Q Centre. Tickets are available at tickets.victoriashamrocks.com