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Victoria Shamrocks Acquire Cadwallader from Adanacs
The Victoria Shamrocks of the Western Lacrosse Association announce they have acquired James Cadwallader from the Coquitlam Adanacs in exchange their third round pick in the 2011 WLA Draft.
Cadwallader, a 23 year-old Victoria native, was drafted by the Adanacs in the 2008 WLA Draft but never reported to them. With the Junior Shamrocks from 2005 until 2007, the 6’ 1”, 210 pound lefthander appeared in 75 regular season and playoff games in which he scored 11 goals and added 41 assists for 52 points along with 141 minutes in penalties. In 2009, he played 10 regular season and playoff games with the Nanaimo Senior B Timbermen in which he scored three goals and added three assists for six points along with 10 minutes in penalties.
"Caddy has the potential to be a very good Senior A player," said Shamrocks general manager Chris Welch. "He's big and strong and plays with a bit of an edge. He's also a very good all-around athlete." In addition to lacrosse, Cadwallader also plays Division 1 soccer for Gorge United FC in the Vancouver Island Soccer League.
This is the fourth trade the Shamrocks have made recently involving young Victoria players. "Caddy joins Brock Armour, Matt Flindell, Kory Kowalyk, Mike Pires and Matt Yager in the group of Victoria guys we have traded for in the last few weeks and we also picked up Rhys Jones in the draft" said Welch. "The future of the Shamrocks is looking very bright."
Ticket package brings Boys of Summer to Victoria Sports Fans
An innovative package offering tickets to four of Victoria’s hottest summer teams hit the streets today.
The "4on4 Sportspack" offers four general admission tickets to any regular season game involving the Victoria Highlanders FC, Victoria Shamrocks, Victoria Seals, and Victoria Rebels.
Drew Finerty, general manager of the Victoria Highlanders, says "the 4on4 Sportspack allows the local sports fan a great deal to take in four games this summer to each sport: soccer, lacrosse, baseball and football."
"The Victoria Shamrocks, who have been bringing the best lacrosse in the world to Victoria for over 60 years, are very pleased to partner with three other high-caliber, local teams on this very innovative package that has so much to offer to sports fans," according to Shamrocks President Jim Hartshorne. "When you buy this package not only do you save money and have a chance at winning some great prizes, you also get the opportunity to sample a variety of outstanding sports action".
Ticket-buyers will enter into a draw for seasons-ticket packages, jerseys and merchandise from each of the four teams.
"The Victoria Seals are excited about this opportunity to partner with three of Victoria's strongest sports organizations. What a great gift for the sports lover - an opportunity to enjoy four completely different sporting experiences all within greater Victoria," added Darren Parker, President of the Victoria Seals baseball team.
The "4on4 Sportspack", which retail for $175, is designed for maximum flexibility so the ticket-holder can go to four individual games, or go to any game as a group of up to four, explains Finerty.
Roger Wade, Victoria Rebels Football Club, shares the enthusiasm, adding "This is a terrific example of how our different teams can come together and give the fans something new, something different which strengthens and grows the sporting community in Victoria."
For more information contact:
Victoria Highlanders FC 250-590-8432
Victoria Seals 250-480-4487
Victoria Shamrocks 250-474-7627
Victoria Rebels 250-398-1277
Victoria Shamrocks Add More Local Youth in Trade with Thunder
The Victoria Shamrocks of the Western Lacrosse Association announce the trade of Aaron Bold to the Langley Thunder in exchange for Matt Yager and future considerations.
Yager, the former captain of the Junior Shamrocks, was selected by the Thunder with the 12th overall pick in the 2010 WLA Draft last week. He appeared in five regular season and playoff games for the Shamrocks last year as a junior call-up, registering four points with three goals and one assist. "We're very excited to add Matt to our local core of players," said Shamrocks general manager Chris Welch. "He's already proven that he can play at this level. He certainly has a very bright future."
Regarding the decision to give up Bold, Welch said, "Langley has been interested in Aaron for a long time and they really stepped up their efforts to get him recently and it just fell into place once Yager became part of the deal. Aaron told us back in October that he has moved to Toronto and if he plays lacrosse at all this summer, it will be in the East. Langley knows that and they're willing to take the chance that they can convince him to play for them. The Shamrocks thank Aaron for the three years he has given us. We know he still has the potential to develop into one of the top goaltenders in the game and we wish him well."
This is the third major trade the Shamrocks have made recently and all three deals have involved the acquisition of players from the 2010 class of graduating Junior Shamrocks. "In the last three weeks we've added at least six Victoria players between 21 and 23 years of age who are going to help us be successful for many years to come," says Welch. "I'm confident the fans are going to be excited about the new generation of Shamrocks and I'm looking forward to a very exciting season."
The Victoria Shamrocks Strengthen Local Core in 2010 WLA Draft
The Western Lacrosse Association Draft was held on Wednesday, February 3, 2010 at the Firefighters Club in Burnaby. The 2010 draft has long been identified as one of the deepest drafts for quality Victoria and South Island players in a very long time and the opportunity to strengthen the local core proved to be too good for Victoria Shamrocks general manager Chris Welch to pass up.
While earlier trades had brought extra picks in the second and third rounds of this year's draft, when the selection of players got underway, the Shamrocks were without a first round pick for the seventh year in a row. But that was about to change quickly. Prior to making their selection at fifth overall, New Westminster Salmonbellies general manager Dan Richardson called for a time out and walked over to the Shamrocks table where he completed a dramatic draft-floor trade with his Shamrock counterpart Welch. In exchange for the fifth overall pick, the Shamrocks gave up the playing rights of Curtis Hodgson whom they had acquired just seven months earlier. Welch then wasted no time in selecting Kory Kowalyk who became the highest player drafted by the Shamrocks since Taylor Wray in 2003.
"Kory is a third-generation Victoria Shamrock and more importantly, he will be a cornerstone player for our club for many years to come," said Welch after the draft. "He's a power forward who brings a rare combination of big-time size (6' 2", 220 lbs.) and skill (42 goals, 28 assists, 70 points in 25 regular season and playoff games in 2009). We think Kory is perfectly suited to handle the tough, physical play in the WLA and we were absolutely thrilled to get him." Kowalyk is currently in his rookie season in the National Lacrosse League with the Washington Stealth.
Giving up Hodgson was not an easy decision for the Shamrocks to make. "We paid a heavy price to get Curtis at the midway point last season when we thought we were poised to take a run at the Mann Cup," said Welch. "Unfortunately, it turned out we weren't as close as we thought. We have nothing but respect for Curtis and while he would have been a great veteran leader for us this year, we simply couldn't pass up the opportunity to make ourselves better in the long run."
In the second round, Welch used the 13th overall selection he acquired in the Lewis Ratcliff trade to select Michael Pires who is currently attending Ohio State University. "Mike is an exceptionally skilled lacrosse player and he has the potential to be right up there among the outstanding players that the Greater Victoria area has produced," said Welch. At the 2008 Minto Cup, Pires was the tournament scoring leader with 10 goals and 10 assists for 20 points in five games played.
With the 14th overall selection, the Shamrocks selected rugged defender Rhys Jones. The 6' 4", 225 pound defenseman is brimming with potential said Welch. "We think Rhys can develop into a shut-down specialist in the WLA. All the tools are there, he's big and strong and getting better every year. Many of us remember the outstanding job he did on Alex Gajic (then of the Burnaby Junior Lakers) and what a big part it played in the Junior Shamrocks winning the 2008 BC junior championship." In 2009, Jones was voted by his teammates as the Junior Shamrocks most popular player and he also picked up the team's top defensive player award.
The Shamrocks raised a few eyebrows with their two selections in the third round by selecting two players from the Lower Mainland. With the 16th overall selection acquired from Nanaimo last year for Myles Kenny, the Shamrocks selected gritty forward Jordan Weir from the Coquitlam Junior Adanacs and with the 21st overall selection, the Shamrocks selected goaltender Neil Tyacke from the New Westminster Junior Salmonbellies. "With Jordan and Neil, we were surprised to see them both still available because we had them ranked higher," said Welch. "It was simply a case of us selecting the best player available. Fortunately, both guys seemed genuinely excited about being drafted by the Shamrocks and we're expecting both will be at training camp. We're very happy about that because they've shown they have what it takes to play at this level."
The Shamrocks were pleased to select a total of 11 players including seven graduating junior Shamrocks.
Name | Junior Club |
Kory Kowalyk | Victoria Jr. Shamrocks |
Michael Pires | Victoria Jr. Shamrocks |
Rhys Jones | Victoria Jr. Shamrocks |
Jordan Weir | Coquitlam Jr. Adanacs |
Neil Tyacke | New Westminster Jr. Salmonbellies |
Reid MacPhail | Victoria Jr. Shamrocks |
Tom Falkiner | Victoria Esquimalt Jr. B |
Brendan Gibson | Langley Jr. A |
Dylan Bernard | Victoria Jr. Shamrocks |
Ben Towner | Victoria Jr. Shamrocks |
Trent Tabor | Victoria Jr. Shamrocks |
"We congratulate and welcome all eleven of these young men to our club," said Welch. "We also congratulate the Victoria players who were drafted by other teams and wish them all the best in the future."
"This was a very important draft for us," said Welch. "I've said it before and I'll say it again, the overall strength of our club is determined to a very large extent by the strength of our local core of players. This draft presented an opportunity to add some high quality local ball players and we did our best to take advantage. I'm confident this will benefit us for many years to come."
2010 WLA Draft Results are in!
Round 1 Player JR Team
1 Burnaby Kevin Crowley New West
2 Langley Brett Mydske New West
3 Maple Ridge Curtis Dickson New West
4 Burnaby Dane Stevens Burnaby
5 Victoria Kory Kowalyk Victoria
6 New West Corbyn Tao Coquitlam
7 Burnaby Shaun Dahliwal Burnaby
click to see the rest of the draft picks
Round 2 Player JR Team
1 Burnaby Trevor Moore Coquitlam
2 Nanaimo Joel Henry Victoria
3 Maple Ridge Ben Davies New West
4 Coquitlam Jason Jones Delta
5 Langley Matthew Yager Victoria
6 Victoria Michael Pires Victoria
7 Victoria Rhys Jones Victoria
Round 3 Player JR Team
1 Burnaby Erik Sage Victoria
2 Victoria Jordan Weir Coquitlam
3 New West Peyton Sanders New West
4 Coquitlam Jon Diplock Nanaimo
5 Langley Mitch Dibblee Burnaby
6 Nanaimo Ray Hodgkinson Burnaby
7 Victoria Neil Tyacke New West
Round 4 Player JR Team
1 Coquitlam Matt Myashita Burnaby
2 Nanaimo Scott Stone Victoria
3 Maple Ridge Jim Clifford Coquitlam
4 Coquitlam Trevor Gains Nanaimo
5 Langley Cam Appels Burnaby
6 Burnaby Brandon Turner Coquitlam
7 Victoria Paul (Reid) MacPhail Victoria
Round 5 Player JR Team
1 Burnaby Scott Davidson Poco
2 Nanaimo Todd Whittacker Nanaimo
3 Maple Ridge Greg Krstic Victoria
4 Coquitlam Ryan Harwood Langley
5 Langley Craig Smith New West
6 Burnaby Matt Wiebe Poco
7 Victoria Tom Falkiner Victoria JB
Round 6 Player JR Team
1 Burnaby Jordon Howes New West
2 Nanaimo David Jones Victoria JB
3 Maple Ridge Brennan Galbraith Poco
4 Coquitlam Luke Domigen Burnaby|
5 Langley Curtis Callard Surrey JB
6 New West Micha Govorchin Delta
7 Victoria Brendan Gibson Langley
Round 7 Player JR Team
1 Burnaby Ryan Kwasnica Poco
2 Nanaimo Rory Theriault Vic Esq
3 Maple Ridge Andrew Duncan Delta
4 Coquitlam Jordan Flaman Poco
5 Langley Sean Messenger Delta
6 New West Alex Tuura Delta
7 Victoria Dylan Bernard Victoria
Round 8 Player JR Tea
1 Burnaby Chris Macy Burnaby
2 Nanaimo Steven Clark Vernon
3 Maple Ridge pass
4 Coquitlam Brian Jette Delta
5 Langley Linsay Flynn Burnaby
6 New West Joel Tickner Pt Moody B
7 Victoria Ben Towner Victoria
Round 9 Player JR Team
1 Burnaby Aaron Brascia Coq B
2 Nanaimo Sean White Vic Esq
3 Maple Ridge pass
4 Coquitlam Tony Kuppan Burnaby
5 Langley Cameron Clark Surrey B
6 New West pass
7 Victoria Trent Tabor Victoria
Round 10 Player JR Team
1 Burnaby Tyson Cornfield Poco
2 Nanaimo James Lawson Nanaimo
3 Maple Ridge pass
4 Coquitlam Jordan Lipchuk Langley
5 Langley pass
6 New West pass
7 Victoria pass
Round 11 Player JR Team
8 Burnaby Richard Wilmott Langley
9 Nanaimo Sam Kobe Nanaimo
10 Maple Ridge pass
11 Coquitlam Jarret Zavitz Langley
Round 12 Player JR Team
15 Burnaby Mike King Burnaby
18 Coquitlam Calvin Kufor Poco
Round 13 Player JR Team
22 Burnaby Toby Paton Delta
Round 14 Player JR Team
29 Burnaby Aaron Fill Delta
WLA Draft tonight.
Follow the draft at 7 pm tonight with a live webcast from www.theboxrocks.com or follow us on twitter.
Victoria Shamrocks and Nanaimo Timbermen Complete Blockbuster Trade
The Victoria Shamrocks and the Nanaimo Timbermen of the Western Lacrosse Association announce that they have completed a trade involving five players and two draft picks.
The Shamrocks have traded Lewis Ratcliff and George Westwood to the Timbermen in exchange for Kevin Dostie, Brock Armour, Matt Flindell and two second round draft choices in 2010 and 2012.
The Timbermen are very pleased to add two players who will have an immediate impact. "For our club, this was an opportunity to pick-up arguably the top offensive player in the WLA during the past five seasons and also to acquire a competitive player with a reputation of being one of the league's toughest customers that we have been looking to add to our lineup since we returned to the WLA," says Timbermen General Manager Earl Nicholson. "Lewis Ratcliff joining his younger brother Cayle complements Scott Ranger and Kaleb Toth and gives us outstanding scoring on both sides of the floor, while George Westwood was very popular in the Victoria room because he knew his role and did it well and also contributed as a player. We gave up a lot to make this deal, but these deals don't come along often and you don't pass them up. Both of these guys were fan favorites in Victoria and our fans will love what they will bring to our club."
The Shamrocks are confident the trade will pay dividends well into the future. "This trade gave us an opportunity to address both short-term and long-term needs of our club," says Shamrocks General Manager Chris Welch. "It was a significant decision to trade Lewis and George because Lewis has been our leading scorer and marquee player and George has been a heart and soul guy in our group." Welch describes some of the circumstances that led up to the trade, "George recently moved to the Nanaimo area and asked to be traded up there and Lewis was hoping to play with his brother before his WLA playing days came to an end. We were able to accommodate those wishes but more importantly we've addressed current needs and positioned ourselves well for the future. Kevin Dostie is a very good player who will give our offense a different look which we felt was necessary. We're strengthening our local core by adding two young players with bright futures in Brock Armour and Matt Flindell. The draft picks are very important pieces for us because both the 2010 draft and the 2012 draft are deep in quality Victoria players, so we're confident we can make good use of the picks to benefit us for years to come." Welch feels the trade may help to further ignite the historic Victoria - Nanaimo rivalry, "A trade of this magnitude is bound to have that effect," he says. "The games between us should be very interesting, especially Lewis' and George's first game in Victoria as part of the opposition. It's going to be a lot of fun to watch."
New Timbermen Player Bios:
Lewis Ratcliff
Ratcliff, a Victoria native who turns 29 on April 24, is a left-handed offensive player who has enjoyed tremendous success in seven seasons with the Shamrocks between 2003 and 2009. He was part of two Mann Cup championships in 2003 and 2005. He is a two-time WLA MVP in 2006 and 2009,
a two-time league scoring champion in 2004 and 2009 and a three-time first team all-star in 2004, 2006 and 2009. In 184 regular season and playoff games, he has scored 408 goals and added 453 assists for 861 points along with 84 penalty minutes. Ratcliff also plays for the Washington Stealth in the National Lacrosse League.
George Westwood
Westwood, who turns 26 on May 26, is a right-handed enforcer who played three seasons with the Shamrocks between 2007 and 2009. In 44 regular season and playoff games, he has scored 2 goals and added 11 assists for 13 points along with 219 penalty minutes.
New Shamrock Player Bios:
Kevin Dostie
Dostie, who recently turned 29, is a left-handed offensive player who played with the Timbermen in 2005 when he finished third in league scoring with 74 points in 18 games played. Since then, he has been playing with the St. Regis Indians in Ontario's Major Series but plans to join the Shamrocks this summer. Dostie won a Mann Cup championship in 2004 with the Peterborough Lakers and was the OLA Major Series MVP in 2006. In 181 regular season and playoff games, he has scored 220 goals and added 259 assists for 479 points along with 46 penalty minutes. Dostie also plays for the Buffalo Bandits in the NLL.
Brock Armour
Armour, who turns 23 on May 9, is a right-handed offensive and transition player who was drafted 8th overall by the Timbermen in the 2009 WLA Draft but did not play in the WLA in 2009. After one year of Junior A with the Victoria Junior Shamrocks, Armour played his final three years of junior with the Burnaby Junior Lakers where he was an assistant captain. In 72 regular season and playoff games as a junior, Armour scored 42 goals and added 92 assists for 134 points along with 134 penalty minutes. Armour is currently in his graduating year at Towson University in Maryland where he is one of the team captains on the men's field lacrosse team. He is expected to join the Shamrocks in June. Armour will be eligible for the 2010 NLL Entry Draft.
Matt Flindell
Flindell, who turns 23 on July 21, is a goaltender who was drafted 14th overall by the Timbermen in the 2009 WLA Draft following a successful Junior A career with the Victoria Junior Shamrocks that culminated with a BC championship and Minto Cup appearance in 2008. In his rookie WLA season in 2009, Flindell appeared in 11 games for the Timbermen and finished with a save percentage of .766 that ranked him 6th in the league in that category. Flindell is on the practice roster of the Washington Stealth in the NLL.
Victoria Shamrocks Announce Coaching Change
The Victoria Shamrocks of the Western Lacrosse Association announce a change of head coaches. Art Webster, who has been the head coach for the last two years, is being replaced by Walt Christianson who returns to the team in 2010 after a two-year absence.
"The decision to replace Arty was a very difficult one," says Shamrocks General Manager Chris Welch. "He is a great team guy and is very well respected. However, my assessment is that the team needs a new direction and I informed Arty back in mid-November that we were going to make a change." The decision stems in part from a disappointing result in the 2009 WLA playoffs, in which the first place Shamrocks were upset by the fourth place Coquitlam Adanacs four games to one, the second year in a row that the Shamrocks were eliminated in the first round. "Our performance in the playoffs was unacceptable," says Welch. "While the coach is not solely responsible for the team's record and performance, he is accountable for the results, so it was one of the factors in the decision."
Of the return of Christianson, Welch says, "I'm very pleased and extremely excited that one of the greatest coaches in the history of this proud organization is coming back and I'm looking forward to working with him again." Christianson brings an outstanding record of success as head coach. Between 2002 and 2007, he led the Shamrocks to a remarkable five straight appearances in the Mann Cup championships, winning two national titles, in 2003 and 2005. "Walt is an outstanding leader and teacher and I know he'll do a great job," says Welch. "His experience, knowledge, understanding of the game and ability to strategize will bring out the best in our players."
Christmas Gift Certificates
Just in time for Christmas, the Shamrocks are selling gift certificates for 2010 season tickets. On Saturday, December 12, Shamrock players and volunteers will be on hand selling the gift certificates in the main lobby at the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Get the Shamrocks Hot Season Tickets and beat the HST, they are the perfect gift for the lacrosse fans on your Christmas list.
Hope Slips Away from Rocks
The Coquitlam Adanacs came into Bear Mountain Arena Wednesday and, with a 13-9 victory, erased the hopes of the Victoria Shamrocks to win a 9th Mann Cup in their 60th season. The Adanacs, with a 4-1 series victory, will move on to face the New Westminster Salmonbellies who swept the Langley Thunder in the other league semi final.
The starting goaltenders were Nick Patterson for Victoria and Brandon Atherton for Coquitlam.
As has been the story in most of the games, it was the Shamrocks striking first with Luke Wiles picking up a rebound and scoring at the 1:08 mark. Just 30 seconds later, Ryan Ward made it 2-0, beating Atherton with a shot high to the corner. Similar to the other games, however, the visitors stormed back scoring 5 straight goals before the ‘Rocks would hit the board again. At 3:28 Dane Dobbie, cutting across in front of the goal netted his first of 5 in the game. A minute later he notched his second, getting a breakaway off the bench. The Shamrocks found themselves at a 2-man disadvantage shortly after that, resulting in two power play goals for the Adanacs. At 6:24 it was Andy Secore scoring 5-on-3 and 27 seconds later, Dobbie had his hat trick on a goal that may have actually been tipped into the net by goaltender Patterson. The next goal didn't come until the 14:19 mark, Andrew Biers making good on a breakaway and the A's had a 5-2 lead. The comeback for Victoria started at 15:47 when Dean Hill scored on one of his patented beside-the-net shots to bring the Rocks within 2. At 16:02 the hard-working Jeff Shattler beat Atherton on a hard shot from a distance. Shattler followed up with his second, a bounce shot that found the back of the net at 17:09, sending the teams to the dressing room deadlocked at 5 after 20 minutes. Shots on goal favoured the visitors by a 17-13 margin.
The Adanacs struck first in period 2, Dobbie getting his fourth goal of the contest with a bounce shot high at 3:12. The next goal didn't come until 13:54 when Secore got his second, another power play marker on another high shot. Coquitlam took a 3-goal lead at 14:22 when Dobbie got his fifth, a goal that sent Victoria's Patterson to the bench in favour of Aaron Bold. The Shamrocks responded with a goal off the stick of Lewis Ratcliff at 15:58 but it took less than a minute for the A's to re-claim their 3-goal lead, Curt Malawsky getting behind Victoria's defense and beating Bold. After two periods it was the visitors taking a 9-6 lead and again holding a slight edge in shots on goal, 15-14.
Just 1:53 into the final frame, the Adanacs' Tim Campeau scored an unassisted goal on a low bounce shot. If the Shamrocks were to make a comeback, this would be a good time to start and they did. Rhys Duch fired a bullet past Atherton at 5:51 reducing the lead to 3 goals. Next it was goaltender Aaron Bold, finding a streaking Shattler who took the pass one-handed and raced in alone to score his third at the 8-minute mark. Lewis Ratcliff scored at 15:37 when his shot bounced off a defender into the net. They all count and suddenly the Coquitlam lead was cut to a single goal with lots of time left. Once again, as they have done all series the Adanacs put on the after-burners and scored 3 unanswered goals to put the game and the series out of reach. Andy Secore scored his hat trick goal at 18:03. Off the ensuing faceoff it was Cory Conway getting the ball from Peter Veltman and scoring high. To cap the evening it was Malawsky scoring with a low shot at 18:39 and that provided the margin of victory. In the third period Victoria outshot the visitors by a 16-12 margin.
As Victoria head coach Art Webster said after the game, the Shamrocks looked good on paper but you play the game on the floor. Coquitlam didn't get their full line-up together until the playoffs but they made good use of their veterans and their good young players adapting to everything the Shamrocks did. By comparison, the Rocks who actually played much better defensively in game 5 than previously, could not adapt offensively to the blanket the Adanacs threw over players like Lewis Ratcliff, Ryan Ward and Rhys Duch. At the end of the day it really looked like the A's wanted it more and at a time when you really need your goaltenders to maybe steal a game for you, the Shamrocks' goaltenders couldn't get it done, which was a comment I heard from several unhappy fans as we left Bear Mountain for the last time this season.
Jeff Shattler led the Shamrocks with 3 goals and 2 assists - he also led the team with his energy and work ethic and was a true bright spot in an otherwise somber series for the green and white. His performance earned him third star honours. Lewis Ratcliff managed a pair of goals and 1 helper while singles came from Rhys Duch and Luke Wiles who also had 2 assists each, Ryan Ward and Dean Hill. One of the other strong performances for the Shamrocks came from Jr. Shamrock call-up Matt Yager who, despite not showing up on the scoreboard, showed up along the boards and in front of the net.
For the Adanacs it was Dane Dobbie leading the way with 5 goals, Andy Secore chipping in a hat trick and Curt Malawsky with 2 goals and 2 helpers. Dobbie was the game's first star while second star Cory Conway contributed a goal and 4 helpers. Tim Campeau with a goal and 2 assists and Andrew Biers rounded out the scoring. The Adanacs will now go on to face the New Westminster Salmonbellies in the WLA final, the victor hosting the Mann Cup which will take place from September 4-12 against the Ontario champions.
Rocks Rebound to Win Game 3
The Coquitlam Adanacs can put their brooms away because Saturday night the Victoria Shamrocks found their shovels and dug themselves at least partway out of the hole they had dug by handing the A’s a 13-11 defeat at Bear Mountain Arena.
Starting goaltenders once again were Chris Levis for the visitors and Nick Patterson for the ‘Rocks. Unlike the previous two contests, this time it was Coquitlam getting on the scoreboard first, Tim Campeau cutting across and beating Patterson low at 3:12. Jeff Shattler tied things up at 3:33 with a bounce shot to the back of the net. The Shamrocks followed up just 12 seconds into a power play when Luke Wiles finished off a quick passing play at the 4-minute mark. The A's got the score knotted at 6:09, Dane Dobbie finding twine with a long shot and just 11 seconds later the visitors took the lead once more, this time Peter Veltman with a long shot. Aaron Bold replaced Patterson in the Victoria goal at that point. The Coquitlam lead was short-lived as the Rocks' Ben Johnson won the ensuing faceoff and gave Rhys Duch a breakaway that resulted in a goal at 6:27, the third goal in just 18 seconds between the two teams. With Patterson back between the pipes for the Shamrocks, Wiles got his second of the contest at 8:40, as he let fly a bounce shot late in the 30-second clock and once again the home team had a 1-goal lead. At 10:09 Coquitlam's Cory Conway scored with a backhand from in close and that signaled the end of Patterson's night as Bold once more replaced him. The home team seemed to rally as they rattled off 3 unanswered goals before the period ended. First it was Dean Hill finishing off a great passing play that began with Jeff Shattler's interception at 10:38. At 14:24 Lewis Ratcliff notched a power play goal with the Rocks holding a 5-on-3 advantage and at 14:50 Duch got his second of the contest with a hard shot from outside the dotted line, another power play marker. That goal sent Levis to the bench to be replaced by Brandon Atherton between the pipes at the Coquitlam end of the floor. The teams went to the dressing room after 20 minutes with the Shamrocks holding a 7-4 lead and a 22-12 edge in shots on goal. The Adanacs took 6 of 8 minor penalties in the period with the ‘Rocks capitalizing 3 times on the power play.
In period 2 the Shamrocks picked up where they left off, scoring the first two goals of the period. Shattler picked up his second at 1:48, beating Atherton over the shoulder on a play that started with goaltender Bold coming out of his net to pick off a Coquitlam pass.
At 2:49, Dylan Llord put the home team up by 5 after Kyle Morwick won a fight along the boards to start the play. As has happened in the previous two games, the
Adanacs bounced back and scored 5 unanswered goals as Victoria's defensive coverage seemed to sputter. Jason Wulder capitalized on a defensive lapse at 7:09. Campeau collected his second of the night at 9:11, a shot that Bold got a piece of. Mike Kilby then scored a rare goal at 13:28 and at 15:27 it was Conway getting his second, this time with his team playing shorthanded, a bounce shot from far out finding the back of the net. Wulder followed up with his second of the game at 17:12, the referees calling the goal despite the light not being turned on by the goal judge as the ball bounced around in the crease. After two periods the score was tied at 9 with the home team once again holding the advantage in shots on goal, 22-13.
The Shamrocks recovered the lead just 1:19 into the third period, Hill getting his second with a last-second shot that bounced into the top corner. At 5:39 Jeff Summerfield went coast to coast to score and increase the Shamrock lead to 2. The Adanacs replied at 7:21, Veltman getting his second, over top of Bold but the home team came back when Shattler got his hat trick at 7:37, another bounce shot that hit the corner. A Coquitlam power play saw Veltman get his hat trick at 9:24 to once again narrow the gap to a single goal but 25 seconds later Duch got his third goal of the contest firing a hard low shot through traffic. Victoria was content to use the clock to their advantage the rest of the way to preserve the 2-goal victory and Bold held the fort as shots on goal were much closer in the final frame with the Rocks holding a slim 18-17 lead, giving them a 62-42 edge in the game.
Play was, as usual between the two teams, very chippy but the Shamrocks held their composure a little better and that resulted in Coquitlam taking 10 of the 15 minor penalties and a major for a check from behind late in the game. The Victoria power play capitalized 3 times while the Adanacs scored once with the extra man and once shorthanded.
Leading the way for the Shamrocks were Jeff Shattler and Rhys Duch, each with a hat trick and four helpers and earning first and third star honours respectively. Luke Wiles and Dean Hill each finished the game with a pair of goals and 2 assists while singles came from Jeff Summerfield, Lewis Ratcliff, and Dylan Llord. Ben Johnson was strong in the faceoff circle, winning 12 of 15, and chipping in a pair of helpers while goaltender Aaron Bold, in a relief role kicked out 25 of the 32 shots he faced.
At the other end of the floor, Peter Veltman had a hat trick, Tim Campeau, Jason Wulder and Cory Conway each had a pair with Conway also contributing 2 assists and being named the game's second star. Dane Dobbie and Mike Kilby had the other Adanac goals with Curt Malawsky getting 4 helpers.
Game 4 will be played Monday in Coquitlam and the teams will be back at Bear Mountain Wednesday for Game 5. Faceoff time is 7:45 pm.
Adanacs Steal Home Floor Advantage
The Coquitlam Adanacs stole home floor advantage from the Victoria Shamrocks Tuesday with a 17-15 victory in game 1 of their best-of-seven semi final series.
Starting goaltenders were Chris Levis for the visitors and Nick Patterson for the ‘Rocks. It was the home team getting on the scoreboard first as Ryan Ward fired off a shot that seemed to have eyes, finding its way over Levis' shoulder at 2:13. Before the partisan crowd got over their excitement, Peter Veltman broke in alone off the faceoff at 2:22 and the score was tied. A power play goal by Dean Hill at 6:07 put the Shamrocks ahead once again but after that it was all Coquitlam. Cory Conway fired a low hard shot past Patterson and it was tied at 2. The visitors rattled off 5 unanswered goals before the period ended. Peter Veltman got his second at 9:57, a hard low shot from fairly far out. Curt Malawsky followed up with a shot that seemed to slip through Patterson's arms at 12:15. At 12:37 it was Tim Campeau getting in close and scoring with an underhand shot. Ross Halliday increased the Coquitlam lead to 4 at 13:33 and that was enough to send Patterson to the bench for a breather. He was relieved temporarily by Jr. Shamrock call-up Adam Hickey but returned to the net shortly after play resumed. Campeau netted his second at 18:12 and it was the visitors enjoying a 7-2 lead after 20 minutes stunning many of the fans in attendance. Victoria had the edge in shots 23-17 but had a hole to dig themselves out of going into the middle period.
Lewis Ratcliff came out quickly to cut the gap, scoring at 1:46. A Victoria power play netted another for the home team, off the stick of Rhys Duch at 2:38. Just 1:04 later it was Luke ‘Cool Hands' Hinton taking a long outlet pass from goaltender Patterson and suddenly the goal differential was only 2. The Shamrocks lost a bit of momentum, however, as the Adanacs responded with a pair that started a run of 8 goals in 3 minutes and 12 seconds. Scorekeepers were hard pressed to keep up with the action. It started at the 8-minute mark when Malawsky got his second of the game. That was followed up by Campeau with his third at 8:43. Off the ensuing face-off Curtis Hodgson replied for Victoria at 8:52, the first of three straight Shamrock goals with the teams playing 3-on-3. Luke Wiles picked a high corner at 9:12 and off the ensuing faceoff it was Jeff Shattler making good at 9:19. A power play goal from Ratcliff at 1:28 tied things up and Hill , with his second of the game, came through to give the Shamrocks the lead at 11:02. It was short-lived as Coquitlam's Campeau scored at 11:12. The teams traded goals the rest of the period as the Shamrocks twice took the lead and twice gave it up with the teams ending the period 13-13. Shattler notched his second at 14:48 and Campeau replied at 16:31. Victoria rattled off a pair - the first off the stick of Ben Johnson at 16:41 and then Jamie Roy at 17:42. That sent Levis to the bench in favour of Brandon Atherton who finished the game in goal for Coquitlam. Daryl Veltman replied for the visitors at 18:09 and Brad MacDonald scored a shorthanded marker for the A's with just 7 ticks left on the clock. Once again the Shamrocks held the edge in shots on goal, 25-16.
Things were much calmer offensively in period three. The Adanacs jumped out to a 2-goal lead on goals by Dane Dobbie, a power play marker, at 5:33 and Malawsky, his third of the contest at 10:02. Dean Hill replied with a goal from beside the goaltender, almost right on the goal line at 11:50, that goal coming on the power play. Shattler then notched his third of the game at 12:16, a shot that bounced off Atherton's leg into the back of the net. With time running out and the Shamrocks getting a power play opportunity at 19:22, it was the Adanacs who made their opportunities count as Malawsky scored the winner at 19:46 and Peter Veltman put one into the empty net at 19:52, both goals coming shorthanded.
I don't think anybody expected that the 22-10 rout by the Shamrocks would be indicative of what was to come in the playoffs but the fans at Bear Mountain also didn't expect that the game would be this high-scoring as Victoria's defense and goaltending was, shall we say, certainly not at their best. At the other end of the floor, goals were being scored but there were also a lot of chances wasted. There is no doubt there will have to be some adjustments as the series continues.
Leading the Shamrocks offensively were Dean Hill and Jeff Shattler with 3 goals and 2 assists, Shattler also being named the game's second star. Lewis Ratcliff had 2 goals and 5 assists for a 7-point night. Single goals came from Curtis Hodgson, Rhys Duch, Jamie Roy, Luke Wiles, Luke Hinton, Ben Johnson and Ryan Ward.
For the Adanacs it was Tim Campeau with 5 goals and 1 assist and Curt Malawsky with 4 goals, Campeau being named the third star of the game. Peter Veltman chipped in 3 goals and 3 assists, with singles coming from Ross Halliday, Brad MacDonald, Daryl Veltman, Dane Dobbie and Cory Conway. Veltman and Conway also had 4 helpers each, Conway collecting first star honours.
Game 2 takes place Thursday in Coquitlam with game 3 back at Bear Mountain Arena at 7:45 pm on Saturday.
- by Janice Huckin
The final WLA FIRSTAR player of the week ending Aug 1st is LEWIS RATCLIFF
The final WLA FIRSTAR player of the week ending Aug 1st is LEWIS RATCLIFF of the Victoria Shamrocks. This is Lewis's 3rd player of the week this season. He scored a remarkable 8 goals & assisted on 11 others for 19 points in 2 games. He finished the season with 43 goals and 73 assists for 110 points in 18 games. During that span he registered 56 points on 21 goals and 35 assists between June 12 and July 5th. The 56 points ties a record set by Wayne Goss in 1975 for "most points in seven consecutive games". Lewis will receive a gift pack from FIRSTAR PERFORMANCE APPAREL.
Finals 3 Star Standings
Lewis Ratcliff 31 points
Garrett Billings 27 points
Rhys Duch 22 points
Scott Ranger 19 points
Joel Dalgarno 18 points
Upcoming Milestones
Games
Pat Coyle 397
Andrew Biers 98
Rob Van Beek 98
Nick Patterson 96
Goals
Dean Hill 92
Assists
Bryan Poole 99
Points
Jeff Shattler 289
Dean Hill 189
Regular Season Finishes with Tie
The WLA regular season came to an end Saturday when the Shamrocks and Timbermen did battle in the hot and steamy confines of the Frank Crane Arena in the Hub City. It was perhaps a fitting ending for the two island teams as they battled to a 16-16 overtime deadlock. The single point for the Shamrocks gives them 29 points on the season, 1 more than the second place New Westminster Salmonbellies.
Fans were pretty evenly split between the two teams although with a number of Victoria products in the Nanaimo line-up, many Victoria fans were cheering for both teams. Starting goaltenders were Matt King for the T'Men and Nick Patterson for the ‘Rocks.
The first period was very much a see-saw battle with Victoria taking the lead and Nanaimo catching up. Lewis Ratcliff got the ‘Rocks on the board first, cutting to the net and scoring at 1:53. Scott Ranger knotted things up at 6:48 with a hard shot from the dotted line. The Rocks went ahead at 7:19 with Jr. Shamrock call-up Matt Yager heading to the net and beating King. A power play goal by Cayle Ratcliff at 13:24 tied the score at two but once again Victoria went ahead as Curtis Hodgson took a pass from Noah Talbot and went coast to coast to score a shorthanded marker at 14:51. They were unable to hold the lead, however, as Ranger netted his second of the game at 16:46 and that sent the teams to the dressing room deadlocked at 3 after 20 minutes. Shots on goal were also even at 15 apiece.
The second period saw the Shamrocks again score first, Luke Wiles capitalizing on a power play at 5:43, putting a shot over King as he fell back into the net. The T'Men didn't waste much time replying, Russell Thomas firing a hard low shot to the back of the net at 6:12. Nanaimo took the lead for the first time, scoring two consecutive goals, Shane Pederson doing the honours at 8:12 after a long possession and Cayle Ratcliff getting his second off the ensuing faceoff at 8:18. Now it was Victoria's turn to play catch-up so they did as Lewis Ratcliff scored just inside the post off some precision passing at 9:54 and then a solo effort at 10:25. At 12:57 the home team took the lead as Ranger rattled off a shorthanded marker and then added his fourth of the game at 13:56. Luke Wiles got the ‘Rocks within one at 16:11 and Rhys Duch tied the score getting a power play goal at 19:17. After 40 minutes the score was 8-8 and Nanaimo had outshot the Shamrocks 25-17 in the period.
The Timbermen made a change in goal to begin the third period, Matt Flindell taking over for King. Nanaimo's Ryan Campbell scored just 18 seconds into the period but the lead was short-lived as the Shamrocks responded with 3 unanswered goals. Wiles got his second at 2:21. That was followed up by some special teams goals as Ratcliff scored shorthanded at 6:02, his fourth, and Duch added a power play goal at 7:41 to give the visitors an 11-9 lead. Just 15 seconds later the younger Ratcliff scored his third and Mike Morrison got the score even at 9:44 following some precision passing. The teams continued to trade goals, Victoria going up by a pair on goals by Ben Johnson at 13:08 and Dean Hill at 14:03. Then a pair by Nanaimo off the sticks of Ranger at 15:03 and Ratcliff at 15:22. It looked like the last shot would win it. Kyle Morwick put the Rocks back into the lead at 17:08 but that wasn't enough to give them the win as Thomas notched his second for the T'Men at 18:42. The Shamrocks held a 21-13 edge in shots on goal in the period but overall with the score knotted 14-14, shots on goal were also even at 43-43.
Into overtime, Ranger came up with his 6th goal of the contest at the 25-second mark and Thomas his 2nd at 4:12, a goal that Patterson actually knocked into the net. With both teams running on empty, Victoria rookie Kyle McCartney scored a pair, the first coming at 4:58 and the second at 5:28 and that was all she wrote.
Overall it was not what you would call a focused effort and what Victoria GM Chris Welch referred to as "sloppy". The Shamrocks rested a few regulars and called up 3 Jr. Shamrocks - Matt Yager getting a goal, Rhys Jones doing an admirable job on defense and picking up 1 assist, and Adam Hickey dressing as the back-up to Patterson but not seeing any action. Nanaimo also had a couple of Jr. Shamrock call-ups in their line-up, Joel Henry and Scott Stone getting 2 and 1 assist respectively.
Lewis Ratcliff and Luke Wiles each had 8 point nights for the Shamrocks, Ratcliff having 4 goals and 4 helpers and Wiles 3 goals and 5 helpers. Rhys Duch had 2 goals and 2 assists while Kyle McCartney also had a pair of goals and 1 helper. Single goals came from Dean Hill, Kyle Morwick, Ben Johnson, Matt Yager and Curtis Hodgson and Ryan Ward chipped in with 4 assists.
For the Timbermen it was Scott Ranger scoring 6 times and adding 1 assist, while the younger Ratcliff, Cayle, kept pace with his older brother, scoring 4 goals and adding 4 helpers. Russell Thomas and Ryan Campbell each had a pair of goals and 3 and 2 assists respectively. Shane Pederson and Mike Morrison also scored for Nanaimo and Kaleb Toth contributed 4 assists.
Playoffs start on Tuesday, August 4 with the Coquitlam Adanacs visiting the Shamrocks at Bear Mountain Arena. The other series begins Wednesday with the New Westminster Salmonbellies hosting the Langley Thunder.
Shamrocks Clinch First
Bear Mountain Arena was hot last night but the Shamrocks were hotter as they hammered the Coquitlam Adanacs 22-10 to clinch first place in the WLA standings.
Nick Patterson started in goal for the Shamrocks with Brandon Atherton guarding the net at the other end of the floor.
The Adanacs should have had a premonition of how the evening was going to unfold as they had a flat tire on the plane that was transporting them to the island, resulting in a late arrival. However, it was the Adanacs getting on the scoreboard first as veteran Jason Wulder scored a power play goal at the 55-second mark. That was the only time they would lead in the contest, as the Shamrocks dominated over the next 59 minutes. Lewis Ratcliff got the home team even at 2:32 when he squeezed the ball inside the post with 2 seconds left on the 30-second clock. Dean Hill then gave the Rocks the lead with a power play goal at 5:51, that goal coming off some great transition. At 7:12 it was Curtis Hodgson taking a pass from goaltender Patterson and making no mistake. Jr. Shamrock call-up Matt Yager got his first WLA goal at 9:15, Patterson again picking up an assist along with Ian Llord. Ryan Ward came out of the corner to beat Atherton at 10:29 and Ratcliff picked up his second at 13:19 on the power play, that goal scored on Chris Levis who had replaced Atherton in goal following Ward's goal. That goal gave the league-leading Ratcliff his 100th point. Oh yeah, there was another team on the floor and they finally solved Patterson for the second time, Tim Campeau scoring at 13:42. They gained no momentum on the play as Jeff Shattler responded just 10 seconds later with a beautiful backhander to the back of the net. Hill got his second of the game for the Shamrocks at 16:27, a low shot that beat Levis and gave the home team an 8-2 lead heading into the first intermission. The Rocks held a 21-19 advantage in shots on goal and Coquitlam took 5 of 8 minor penalties in the period.
The second period started similarly to the first, the Adanacs' Dane Dobbie scoring a shorthanded marker at the 1:09 mark. As was the case in the first, Victoria responded with Curt Morwick scoring at 3:02 and Ratcliff firing a hard shot to the back of the net at 5:16 to get his hat trick. Peter Veltman got credit for an Adanac goal at 8:43, a goal that came right at the 30-second clock expiration but ruled good. The Shamrocks were undaunted as they peppered the Coquitlam net with shots and rattled off 5 goals in a span of 3:27. First it was Luke Wiles collecting a pass right on the crease and scoring at 13:28. At 13:50 it was Rhys Duch getting in alone and reaping the dividends of some great loose ball work by Jamie Roy. Off the ensuing faceoff, just 8 seconds later, Morwick got his second of the night. A power play opportunity yielded the hat trick marker for Dean Hill at 14:35. It took over two minutes for the next goal which came off the stick of Morwick, his third, at 16:41. And at 16:55 Duch got his second, putting a few shifts on the goalie and scoring over top of Levis, who was then replaced by Atherton for his second shift of the game. There was some extra curricular activity as the Shamrocks' George Westwood took a unanimous decision over the Adanacs' Peter Veltman, both players receiving 5-minute majors for their trouble. The Shamrocks enjoyed a huge shot advantage in the period, outshooting their opponents 26-13.
Period 3 was a goalfest as the ‘Rocks relaxed a bit, 12 goals being scored in all, 6 by each team and seven of those coming off powerplays. Starting early again, it was the A's Gary Bining scoring on the power play at the 53-second mark. The Shamrocks replied with a pair, Ratcliff with his 4th at 1:40 and Duch with his 3rd at 2:37 on the power play. For the first time in the contest, Coquitlam got 2 consecutive goals, Peter Veltman scoring at 6:27 and Dane Dobbie at 7:26. On the power play, Duch got his fourth at 9:07 but two power play goals by the Adanacs, Wulder getting his second at 10:38 and Veltman getting his third at 13:38 followed. Victoria returned the favour with 2 power play markers of their own, Duch scoring his 5th with a 5-on-3 advantage and Morwick getting his fourth at 16:19. The teams traded goals late in the game, Wulder getting the hat trick for the visitors, that goal coming against Adam Hickey in relief of Patterson and Luke Hinton doing a great imitation of a goal scorer, cutting to the front of the net and converting a pass from Matt Yager at 19:31. The Adanacs outshot the Rocks 19-14 in the period.
The game was never really the battle fans expected, especially considering these two teams will face each other in one semi final series. It was Coquitlam's second gme in two nights but that shouldn't be an excuse at this point of the season as games become more compressed during the playoffs.
Victoria's goal scorers lit things up as Rhys Duch scored 5 times, Lewis Ratcliff and Curtis Morwick each had 4 goals with 7 and 2 assists respectively, Ratcliff now sitting with 108 points to lead the league in scoring. Dean Hill chipped in 3 goals and 1 helper while Ryan Ward and Luke Wiles each had 6-point nights with a goal and 5 assists. Other goals came from Curtis Hodgson, Jeff Shattler, who also had 3 assists, Luke Hinton and Jr. call-up Matt Yager. Dylan Llord contributed 3 assists and goaltender Nick Patterson had another strong game, stopping 37 of 46 shots fired his way and collecting 2 assists. Shamrock players swept the three-star selections with Lewis Ratcliff, Rhys Duch and Jamie Roy coming 1-2-3.
For the Adanacs Jason Wulder and Peter Veltman each collected a hat trick with Dane Dobbie contributing 2 goals and 3 helpers. Tim Campeau and Gary Bining had the other goals while Daryl Veltman and Cory Conway each had 5 assists in the contest.
The Shamrocks have one regular season game left, that being played in Nanaimo on Saturday, a 7:00 start. They will start the playoffs at home, against the Coquitlam Adanas, on Tuesday, August 4 at 7:45 pm at Bear Mountain. The other semi-final series will see the New Westminster Salmonbellies and Langley Thunder battling it out.
‘Rocks Back on Top
After a brief trip to second place in the WLA standings, the Shamrocks are back on top after a 14-4 drubbing of the last place Burnaby Lakers Friday night at Bear Mountain Arena.
A pair of losses had put the ‘Rocks back into the mindset that hard work was going to get them the Mann Cup they are seeking and two intense practices during the week ensured they got that message. Friday they came out hard and sustained pressure for most of the contest, getting a balanced scoring attack and doing the things that brought them success early in the season, namely moving the ball quickly and winning the loose ball battles.
Starting goaltenders were Nick Patterson for the home team and Scott Lowe for the visitors. Special teams were prominent in the contest and in fact Victoria's first goal came on the power play, Rhys Duch depositing a shot behind Lowe at the 3:28 mark. Curt Morwick put the ‘Rocks up by a pair coming straight down the gut and scoring at 5:58. At 7:05 it was Jeff Shattler getting in close, putting on some shifty moves and hitting the top corner. Victoria's fourth goal was also the result of the special teams, this time with the team playing shorthanded, Lewis Ratcliff put on a great show of ragging the ball and eventually it was Ryan Ward getting in front and burying the ball behind Lowe. That goal came at 9:06. With the Victoria player still in the penalty box, Burnaby took a chance and called for an equipment measurement on Shamrocks goaltender Patterson. When the officials returned to the floor, the delay of game penalty issued to the Lakers indicated Patterson's gear was in compliance. The final goal of the period came off the stick of Ratcliff as he fired a bullet from a bad angle which found its way inside the post at 13:33. The ‘Rocks took the 5-0 lead to the dressing room after a period of fast-paced action and outstanding goaltending from Patterson as the Shamrocks outshot the Lakers 18-14.
The home team came out in the middle frame the same way they started the contest, Luke Wiles scoring at 4:28 on a shot that went over Lowe's shoulder. They extended their lead to 7 with a second shorthanded marker, this one courtesy of Dylan Llord at 6:14. After 33:19 of shutout lacrosse, the Lakers finally broke Patterson's goose egg when Jim Southall's shot found the back of the net. At 14:14 Ratcliff got that one back, going one way, firing back the other way with a tricky shot that eluded Lowe. Off the ensuing faceoff, the Lakers replied, Tom Johnson land racing in and beating Patterson. It looked like Burnaby might be gaining some momentum but at 19:08 Jamie Roy picked up a loose ball and raced in to score an unassisted power play goal. Just seventeen seconds later it was Dean Hill, reaping the dividends of some great stickwork by Shattler and firing a high shot into the back of the net. The Lakers managed one more, Johnson netting his second of the game with less than 2 seconds left on the clock. After two periods it was the home team enjoying a 10-3 lead and again outshooting the visitors by a 17-12 margin.
At 5:46 of period 3, Ben Johnson made some hard work on the loose ball pay off with a solo effort. The Lakers' Chris Fox, managed to score with a shot that looked like a knuckleball and Patterson down at 10:25. The Shamrocks made a goaltending change, inserting Adam Hickey, a call-up from the Jr. Shamrocks at that point. He held the fort as the ‘Rocks scored three unanswered goals to end the game. First it was Jamie Roy checking his opponent off the ball and scoring his second unassisted power play marker of the game at 11:42. Jeff Shattler followed that up with a high shot to the back of the net at 15:19. Big Luke Hinton, normally a defensive player, pursued and captured a loose ball and made a run to the net to finish the scoring at 17:35. The Lakers made a goaltending change as Devon Winters, also a junior call-up from the Langley Thunder, finished up the game.
As noted, scoring was spread around for the Shamrocks. Jeff Shattler, who was named the game's third star, and Lewis Ratcliff each had a pair of goals and 2 helpers while Jamie Roy, the game's second star, also chipped in two goals. Curt Morwick and Dean Hill also had 4-point games with a goal and 3 assists each. Dylan Llord, Ryan Ward and Rhys Duch each contributed a goal and 2 helpers with other goals coming from Luke Wiles, Luke Hinton, and Ben Johnson. First star honours went to goaltender Nick Patterson who turned aside 29 of the 33 shots he faced before giving way to Adam Hickey who faced 10 shots and did not allow a goal.
For Burnaby it was Tom Johnson with a pair of goals and singles coming from Chris Fox and Jim Southall. The Lakers' leading scorer, Mark Scherman was held to 2 assists.
The result leaves the Shamrocks and New Westminster Salmonbellies tied with 26 points but Victoria with a game in hand and holding the tie-breaker in winning the season series with the ‘Bellies. Victoria's next home game is next Wednesday when the Coquitlam Adanacs will come to town and the ‘Rocks finish the regular season in Nanaimo next Saturday, August 1. New West's sole remaining game is Thursday against the Lakers.
Maybe it was a Full Moon
Three games all on the same Saturday night is a rarity in WLA scheduling. One might have suspected some unexpected outcomes. One game was at the spanking new Langley Event Centre and featured the Senior A Langley Thunder playing host to the Victoria Shamrocks on Saturday night. The Thunder had squeaked out a win over the Rocks on June 19th, to give the Rocks their only loss of the season. For the Saturday rematch, the Rocks were rested, coming into the game on three-days rest. The Thunder should have been less fresh, coming off their Friday night romp over the Burnaby Lakers. But, the Langley fans on hand were hopeful that the win at Bear Mountain was not a fluke.
Shamrocks Squeak by Adanacs
It was hard to tell at times whether you were at a lacrosse game, a diving meet or All Sooke Days, so diverse were the skills of the players on the floor last night. In the end, Coquitlam won the diving contest (but it was close) and the lumberjack competition but the Shamrocks prevailed 11-10 in the lacrosse game to improve to 12-1 and improve their hold on first place in the WLA.
Starting goaltenders were Nick Patterson for the home team and Chris Levis for the visitors. The ‘Rocks got off to a quick start, Dean Hill picking up a rebound off a Lewis Ratcliff shot at only the 47-second mark. A power play resulted in Victoria's second tally, Hill picking up a loose all and getting it to Rhys Duch who made no mistake at 3:56. The Adanacs replied at 4:54, Jason Wulder scoring with the teams playing 4-on-4. Victoria then put together a 3-goal streak, Jamie Roy utilizing his outstanding speed to get a breakaway and take an outlet pass from Patterson at 7:02. Jeff Shattler followed up with a pair. The first came after a strong Shamrock penalty kill when Kyle Morwick got a pass from behind the net out front to Shattler and he buried it. The final goal came with one tick left on the clock. After a Shamrock time-out with 5.5 seconds left and with Patterson on the bench for an extra attacker, Luke Wiles got a pass to Shattler who made the score 5-1 after 20 minutes. There was a steady parade to the penalty box in period one, mostly slashing calls, and one pretty good fight between Jeff Summerfield and Dave Kilby. Shots on goal favoured the home team by a 19-15 margin.
The Adanacs got rolling in the second floor. Wulder scored his second of the game on the power play at 1:56. Tim Campeau followed up with a bit of a cheap goal, as he looked dangerously close to being in the crease at the time. It came at 3:10 and the visitors were within a pair. Dane Dobbie got in alone and scored at the 7-minute mark and Campeau notched his second at 9:16. The Shamrocks did the goalie switcheroo to squelch Coquitlam's momentum. Bold went in, then came back out immediately when play resumed. Lewis Ratcliff responded with a power play goal at 13:57 but at 14:17 Campeau with his third, pulled the visitors even. Dylan Llord restored the Victoria lead at 16:21, faking high, shooting low. And at 17:24 Rhys Duch notched his second and the Shamrocks had an 8-6 lead going into the second intermission and again held the edge in shots on goal 22-20.
Coquitlam again got a quick start in period 3, Campeau netting his fourth at the 59-second mark. Shattler got in close and beat Levis with a high shot at 1:53 to restore the 2-goal cushion. Back and forth it went, Curt Malawsky scoring for Coquitlam from in close at 7:11 and Dylan Llord getting his second for the Shamrocks at 10:20, that goal coming with his team playing shorthanded and after some great ragging on the short man team. Wulder got his hat trick, on the power play, at 10:51 as the teams continued to trade goals. Kyle Morwick scored at 11:18 for the Shamrocks and Campeau got his 5th at 11:49 and that was all the scoring. The Adanacs called a time out with 11.2 seconds left, hoping to duplicate Victoria's first period feat but Patterson made a great save and time ran out, allowing the Shamrocks to escape with the 1-goal victory. Coquitlam outshot the ‘Rocks 18-13 in the final frame with Victoria holding the lead overall 54-51.
Jeff Shattler led the Shamrocks with 3 goals and 3 assists and was named the game's first star. Lewis Ratcliff had 5 points on a goal and 4 helpers while Rhys Duch, who was the third star of the game and Dylan Llord, each had a pair of goals and one assist. Other goals came off the sticks of Dean Hill, Kyle Morwick and Jamie Roy while Luke Wiles, having a quiet night for him, chipped in 4 helpers. Nick Patterson had a very solid outing in goal, kicking out 41 shots and getting an assist as well.
For the Adanacs it was Tim Campeau, the second star of the contest, with 5 goals. Jason Wulder chipped in with a hat trick and 2 helpers. Dane Dobbie had another outstanding game with 1 goal and 6 assists. The other Coquitlam goal came from the team's diving captain, Curt Malawsky while Cory Conway and Gary Bining each contributed a pair of helpers. Goaltender Chris Levis played well, making 43 saves.
The Shamrocks take to the road for a pair of game as they face Langley Saturday and New Westminster next Thursday. Next home action for the ‘Rocks is Friday, July 24 when the visitors will be the Burnaby Lakers.
Winning the Hard Way
Having watched the Maple Ridge Burrards play a disciplined up-tempo game in beating the Adanacs on Saturday night, I talked up the Burrards’ Sunday night encounter with the league leading Shamrocks as a opportunity for our game to be showcased. The Rocks were coming off a comprehensive win on Friday night and had a day’s rest over the. Unfortunately, the game was underwhelming.
Another Game in the W Column
There were two streams of chatter before the regular Friday night game at the Bill Copeland Sports Centre tonight; talk about the now first place Shamrocks in the third year of a rebuild, and an assessment of a newly rebuilding Lakers squad. One clear sign of the changes in the Laker room was the appearance of long-time junior and senior Laker stalwart Curtis Hodgson wearing a Shamrock Jersey. The Rocks paid a steep price to secure Hodgson, knowing that the rearguard would meld seamlessly into the Rocks’ system.
Shamrocks Clinch Playoff Berth
With a record of 11 wins and 1 loss for 22 points in 12 games, the Victoria Shamrocks are the first team to be guaranteed a berth in the 2009 Western Lacrosse Association playoffs. The WLA playoff champion will host the 2009 Mann Cup from September 4 - 12 and celebrate the 100th anniversary of the prestigious award. The Shamrocks are focused on winning their ninth national championship in the team's 60-year history.
For the fifth consecutive week, the Shamrocks are the number one ranked team in Canada:
Senior A Lacrosse National Rankings
1 Victoria Shamrocks WLA 11-1-0
2 New West Salmonbellies WLA 8-3-1
3 Peterborough Lakers MSL 10-4-0
4 Six Nations Chiefs MSL 9-4-0
5 Brampton Excelsiors MSL 9-5-0
6 Coquitlam Adanacs WLA 7-5-0
The Shamrocks have scored a remarkable 176 goals in their 12 games thus far, averaging almost 15 per game. The top three scorers in the WLA are providing much of the Shamrock firepower:
|
| GP | G | A | PTS |
1 | Lewis Ratcliff | 12 | 30 | 53 | 83 |
2 | Rhys Duch | 12 | 27 | 35 | 62 |
3 | Luke Wiles | 11 | 31 | 22 | 53 |
Three of the Shamrocks remaining regular season games will be played at Bear Mountain Arena, starting on Wednesday, July 8 when the Coquitlam Adanacs come to town, followed by the Burnaby Lakers on Friday, July 24 and a return visit by the Adanacs on Wednesday, July 29.
Lewis Ratcliff WLA player of the Week
The WLA FIRSTAR PLAYER OF THE WEEK ending July 5th 2009 is Lewis Ratcliff of the Victoria Shamrocks. He was selected 1st & 2nd star in the 2 games he played. He scored 8 goals and assisted on 8 others for 16 points. He leads the WLA in scoring with an amazing 30 goals and 53 assists for 83 points in 12 games. This is Lewis’s 3rd player of the week honor this year. He will receive a gift pack from FIRSTAR PERFORMANCE APPAREL.
JEFF SHATTLER THE WLA FIRSTAR PLAYER OF THE WEEK
The WLA FIRSTAR PLAYER OF THE WEEK ending June 28 2009 is JEFF SHATTLER of the Victoria Shamrocks. He was picked 1st & 2nd star in the 2 games he played, both wins. Jeff scored 6 goals and assisted on 7 others for 13 points. He has moved into 10th place in league scoring with 17 goals and 20 assists for 37 points. He will receive a gift pack courtesy of FIRSTAR STAR PERFORMANCE APPAREL.
Victoria Shamrocks Announce the Acquisition of Curtis Hodgson
The Victoria Shamrocks of the Western Lacrosse Association are very pleased to announce that they have acquired Curtis Hodgson via a trade with the Burnaby Lakers. Hodgson brings very impressive credentials: He has won two consecutive awards in 2007 and 2008 as the best defensive player in the WLA and he has been a first-team all-star for the last four consecutive seasons.
"We are very excited to add another elite player in Curtis Hodgson to our group," said Shamrocks General manager Chris Welch. "There were several teams competing for his services and we paid a significant price to get him because we couldn't pass up the opportunity when the Lakers made him available. He will make us better." Welch is clear that this is not a case of acquiring a veteran player for the short-term. "We expect to have Curtis in our lineup for years to come," said Welch.
In exchange for Hodgson, the Lakers receive the Shamrocks first round draft choices in 2010 and 2011.
Hodgson, who turns 28 in August, is a Burnaby native who won two Minto Cups with the Junior Lakers in 2000 and 2002. Shamrock goaltender Nick Patterson was his teammate on the 2002 team. In six WLA seasons, the 6' 1", 195-pounder has played 130 regular season and playoff games, all with the Lakers, in which he has scored 68 goals and added 91 assists for 159 points along with 95 penalty minutes.
Hodgson is a veteran of five seasons in the National Lacrosse League, all with the San Jose Stealth where he has played for Shamrocks Head Coach Art Webster who is an Assistant Coach with the Stealth and where he is teammates with Shamrock players Rhys Duch and Aaron Bold. In his five NLL seasons, Hodgson has played 85 regular season and playoff games, scored 20 goals and added 37 assists for 57 points along with 54 penalty minutes.
Hodgson is expected to make his Shamrock debut on Friday July 3 against his former club in Burnaby.
Other Notes:
- The Shamrocks currently sit in first place atop the WLA standings with a record of 9 wins and 1 loss.
- The 2009 WLA trading deadline is at 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, June 30, 2009.
- The next Shamrock home game is on Wednesday, July 8 when they take on the visiting Coquitlam Adanacs.
Shamrocks Down Adanacs
There was a familiar buzz at the Coquitlam Sports Centre on Saturday night; the Shamrocks were in town to face-off with the Adanacs. For a lot of years, this was the premier WLA match up and, with the Rocks and the A’s together at the top of the standings once again, expectations were high. The Rocks had played at home on Friday night, while the A’s last game was last Sunday in Maple Ridge. The stage was set for another classic.
The Rocks got on the board first, and often. Scott DeFrancesco and Luke Wiles gave the visitors a two goal lead before the two minute mark. The A's got one back before Wiles with his second, and Dean Hill found the range to establish a three-goal lead for the Rocks. But, the ageless Curt Malawsky bagged a goal to draw the A's back within two. Calm and collected, the Rocks responded with yet another pair of goals, this time from Rhys Duch and Lewis Ratcliff. Scoring in pairs kept stretching the lead.
The A's used the same trick to pull back within a pair of goals, scoring twice; at 18:39 and 18:59. That closed the scoring in the opening 20, sending the teams to the room with the rocks holding a 6 to 4 lead. The Rocks narrowly outshot the A's, 16 to 14. Each team sat for one minor penalty, with no special teams goals being scored. That was not the case in the second period.
The second period was a little bizarre. There were five minor penalties called, all against the Rocks. Twice, the Rocks found themselves down by two men, the second time for the full two minutes. The A's certainly had the opportunity to get on even terms, but the result of the opportunities likely determined the outcome of the game. The Rocks scored six goals in the period, a pair each from Jeff Shattler and Ward, and singles from Wiles and Ratcliff. Two goals, one each from Ward and Ratcliff, came while the Rocks were short-handed. While the advantage in numbers contributed to the A's firing 22 shots at the Victoria goal, the end result was that the A's scored just two goals in the period, with only one on the power play. The second period ended with the Rocks holding a five-goal lead, 12 to 7.
The Rocks opened the third period with yet another pair of goals, from Dean Hill and the hat trick from Ratcliff. Ratcliff's hat track goal was his second short-handed goal of the game. On the same power play, the A's did find twine, with Malawsky getting his hat trick goal. The score line stood at 14 to 8 for the Rocks. The Rocks responded in a now familiar way, notching two goals in short order; the first from Dean Hill at 8:34 and the second from Duch, at 8:55. It was now 16 to 8, but no one expected that the A's would lay down.
Taking a page from the Rocks' playbook, a little over five minutes later a solo bullet shot from Cory Conway was the first of a pair from the A's, with the second goal coming when Malawsky netted his fourth of the game. The A's were still down six goals, but had some jump. However, less than a minute after the Malawsky tally, Shattler got his chapeau while stretching the Rocks' lead to 7 goals. In the dead ball after that goal, the A's were tagged with just their second and third penalties of the game, both unsportsmanlike minors for beaking. While Jason Wulder and Andy Secore were in the box feeling shame, the Rocks' power play worked the ball around to Duch who netted his hat trick at 17:23. The score line wrapped up when the A's racked up their 11th goal in the last minute.
The final score was Victoria 18, the A's 11. It was a comprehensive performance by the men in green.
Lewis Ratcliff led all scorers with 3 goals and 6 assists for 9 points and the third star award. The second star was Curt Malawsky, on four goals. The first star of the game was Jeff Shattler, with 3 goals and 4 assists.
Nick Patterson had a great outing, particularly in the second period, allowing just 3 goals on 22 shots, while stopping 38 of 49 shots overall. Honourable mentions go to Ryan Ward with 2 goals and 2 assists, and to Rhys Duch with 3 and 3. Luke Wiles also had a hat trick, adding an assist. Singles went to Scott DeFrancesco, Dylan Llord, Curt Morwick and Dean Hill. Captain Buck Stobart had an outstanding game, punishing attackers, running the floor and doing yeoman work holding possession on the short man. But, at the final whistle, the three point lead at the top of the standings looks pretty good at this point in the season.
After two games in two nights, the Rocks get five days off before returning to the mainland for a split pair of games: at Burnaby on Friday July 3rd, and at Maple Ridge on Sunday July 5th.
‘Rocks Blast Timbermen
After suffering their first defeat last Friday and a week of tough practices, the Shamrocks got back in the swing Friday, jumping into a 9-2 first period lead and defeating the Nanaimo Timbermen 15-7 at Bear Mountain Arena.
Aaron Bold got the start in goal for Victoria while former Shamrock Matt King got the nod at the other end.
Victoria's Ryan Ward, back in town after completing his school teaching year, got the Rocks on the board at 1:49, beating King with a hard shot over the goalie's shoulder. That goal came with a delayed penalty pending to the T'Men. The visitors replied at 2:13, Myles Kenny scoring on a breakaway. The home team got on a bit of a run, scoring 3 straight goals. Luke Wiles found twine at 3:56 with a bullet from just outside the dotted line. At 6:14, Jeff Shattler fired a high shot to King's stick side which just squeezed under the crossbar. Lewis Ratcliff scored on a bounce shot at 7:07 and King's evening was over as he was replaced by Matt Flindell. Nanaimo responded almost immediately as Scott Ranger scored at 8:20, that goal coming with a delayed penalty being signaled for Victoria and the extra player on the floor. Victoria then went on the attack and rattled off 5 more goals before the period ended. Kyle Morwick scored unassisted, faking high and beating Flindell low at 10:30. Shattler tallied his second of the game at 11:52. At 14:46 Dean Hill went high and it was 7-2 Victoria. Ratcliff got his second at 16:02 with a low hard shot through traffic and Rhys Duch followed up at 17:48 with a high shot over Flindell's left shoulder. Shots on goal favoured the Shamrocks 20-16 and they went to the dressing room with a 9-2 lead.
After a scorefest in period 1, the middle frame was fairly defensive in nature with only 4 goals being scored, two apiece. Nanaimo scored first at 3:01, Cayle Ratcliff getting in close to beat Bold. The next goal came at 12:29 and it was Nanaimo's Mike Morrison tallying a shorthanded goal, as he came off the bench and picked up a pass from Kyle Couling. At 13:03 Wiles got his second of the night for the Shamrocks, a power play marker and at 16:02, Duch got his second of the game with his team playing a man down. After 40 minutes the ‘Rocks held onto the 7-goal lead with the score 11-4 as the home team once again held the advantage in shots on goal by a 20-15 margin.
Nanaimo started to chip away at the lead in the final frame as Ryan Clark scored just 27 seconds into the period. A power play, the second of the contest for Scott Ranger at 11:19 and another goal by Ryan Campbell with the delayed penalty call pending to the Shamrocks had the Timbermen within 4 at the 12:26 mark. But the boys in green got things rolling again scoring 4 goals in a little over 3 minutes late in the period. Wiles got his third at 14:52, finishing off a nice passing play from Ryan Ward. Shattler then got his hat trick marker at 15:54 shifting and going around his check to score from in lose. Wiles, on the power play, got his fourth at 17:16, putting the ball just inside the post and Dylan Llord finished off the scoring at 17:57 getting a breakaway and making no mistake.
The game over all wasn't one of those ‘edge of the seat' types but it was a satisfying victory as far as the crowd was concerned.
Jeff Shattler and Lewis Ratcliff each had 6-point games with Shattler tallying 3 goals and 3 assists and Ratcliff 2 goals and 4 helpers and picking up second and third star honours respectively. Luke Wiles had 4 goals and 1 assist while Rhys Duch, chosen the game's first star has 2 goals and 3 helpers. Other goals came from Ryan Ward, Kyle Morwick and Dean Hill while Aaron Bold kicked out 36 of the 43 shots he faced.
For Nanaimo it was Mike Morrison picking up 4 points on a goal and 3 helpers. Scott Ranger notched a pair and singles came from Myles Kenny, Ryan Campbell, Ryan Clark and Cayle Ratcliff. Matt Flindell allowed 11 goals in relief of King but actually had a pretty solid outing, making 36 saves on 47 shots.
The result leaves Victoria with 16 points, just 1 ahead of New Westminster but holding 2 games in hand. Coquitlam sits in third with 14 points. The schedule sees the Shamrocks play their next 3 games on the road, including an encounter with the Adanacs Saturday, before returning home to Bear Mountain on Wednesday, July 8 when the visitors will be the Coquitlam Adanacs. Game time is 7:45 pm.
Thunder Rolls In – Rocks Lose First
The Victoria Shamrocks’ winning streak came to an end Friday at Bear Mountain when the Langley Thunder rolled into town and took a 13-12 victory. They had help but a win is a win and the thing about streaks is – eventually they usually do end.
The starting goaltenders were Nick Patterson for Victoria and Kevin Croswell for Langley.
The Shamrocks got off to their typical quick start, scoring the first two goals before the game was two minutes old. In fact both goals were scored by Rhys Duch, the first one coming at 1:06 and the second at 1:46, both similarly on hard shots from the circle. Langley replied with a pair of their own. Garrett Billings notched his first of the evening at 3:13 and at 3:32 Kyle Belton beat Patterson low on the glove side. The game wasn't even 4 minutes old and the score was knotted at 2 each. The home side pulled ahead again at 8:55, Rhys Duch faking a pass to Ratcliff on one side but putting the ball into the stick of Luke Wiles on the other side who made no mistake. Just about a minute later, Wiles tallied his second, picking a corner over Croswell's shoulder. The Thunder's Billings picked up his second, gathering up a loose ball from a scrum in front of the Victoria net at 14:35 to get within a goal. Luke Hinton answered for the Shamrocks, picking off an errant Langley pass and going coast-to-coast to score unassisted at 15:19. Only 17 seconds later Jamie Lincoln scored to pull the visitors within one. I could have sworn I heard a whistle blow before the ball went in but . . . . . the goal stood. Langley tied things up at 18:48, Graedon Cornfield putting the ball over Patterson and into the net. Before the period ended, they managed to take their first lead of the game, Belton getting his second of the contest with 1.1 seconds left on the clock. The score after 20 minutes was Langley 6, Victoria 5. The Thunder also outshot the Shamrocks 17-13.
The middle period saw Langley pick up the intensity level and score the first two goals of the period. Both came off the stick of Rob Van Beek at 4:45 and 5:49. The 3-goal Langley lead prompted Victoria coach Art Webster to replace Patterson with Aaron Bold. It was just a temporary move but Aaron did have to make one huge save when his return to the bench was interrupted by a Langley breakaway. Bold dived across to make the save and Patterson resumed his position between the pipes. The Shamrocks got things going again shortly later as Lewis Ratcliff put one over Croswell's shoulder on his stick side at 7:49. Dean Hill scored on an almost identical shot at 8:16. The next three goals came within a span of 1:11. Ben Johnson scored to get the home side even again at 11:35. Langley restored their lead at 12:18, Alex Turner doing the honours on a shot that Patterson got a piece of but could not quite corral. Ratcliff tied it up at 12:46 and that marked the end of the night for Croswell in the Langley net, Joe Bell taking over at that point. Dylan Llord put the ‘Rocks up again at 13:32 just 10 seconds in a power play, reaping the benefits of some great passes by Ratcliff and Duch. Wiles then notched his third of the night at 14:17 after Bell made the first save but couldn't stop the second off the rebound. Langley closed the scoring at 15:51, Billings getting in alone and scoring shorthanded. Victoria had the edge on shots in the middle frame by a 25-12 margin and were ahead 11-10 after 40 minutes.
The third period was quite bizarre. Langley struck first, Billings getting his third at 2:57 on the power play. Rhys Duch got his hat trick marker at 4:18, threading the needle and beating Bell high. The Thunder power play struck again at 6:58, Jamie Lincoln finding twine. And Lincoln scored the final goal of the contest at 9:07. Well, it was the last goal that got onto the scoresheet. Twice in the period, Victoria goals were not counted despite the fact they crossed the goal line, nobody was in the crease, the goal judge had the light on, but the referees did not see it. The on-floor officials seemed very disorganized and confused at times throughout the game. I try not to criticize the referees - they have a very hard job - but sometimes they are just . . . . . . well, bad. Tonight they were really bad. The word nightmare comes to mind as they questioned each other's calls and at times seemingly their own. You can't take anything away from the Thunder - they out-hustled Victoria, they are a good young team and the Shamrocks had lapses in which they made bad choices and did not execute well. But two straight-out missed goals all by themselves would have made the difference on the scoreboard.
Offensively for Victoria Lewis Ratcliff and Rhys Duch each had 6-point nights, Ratcliff with a goal and 5 helpers and Duch with 3 of each. Luke Wiles also had a hat-trick while Dean Hill scored twice and Luke Hinton, Ben Johnson and Dylan Llord the others. Jeff Shattler had 3 helpers and Jamie Roy was strong at both ends and contributed a pair of assists. Nick Patterson had two assists but it was not by far his best game between the pipes.
For the Thunder it was Garrett Billings doing much of the damage with 4 goals and 4 assists. Jamie Lincoln had the hat trick with Kyle Belton and Rob Van Beek each getting a pair of goals and 3 helpers. Graedon Cornfield and Alex Turner had the other Langley goals while Bryan Poole kicked in with 3 assists and Kyle McEwen a pair. Joe Bell had a strong performance in relief of Croswell in the nets as Victoria outshot the visitors 52-38.
The result has Victoria still leading the league but only one point ahead of New Westminster who had two wins during the week. Next action for the Shamrocks is next Friday at Bear Mountain when the visitors will be the Nanaimo Timbermen. Don't forget next Friday, June 26 is also the annual tailgate party. Food, drink, fun events, meet some of the players as well as Junior and Intermediate players. The festivities start at 5:00 and the game follows at 7:45 pm.
Lewis Ratcliff Player of the Week
The WLA FIRSTAR PLAYER OF THE WEEK ending June 14th is LEWIS RATCLIFF of the Victoria Shamrocks. Lewis was selected 1st star in both of his games scoring 6 goals and assisting on 12 others for 18 points. Lewis leads the WLA in scoring with 15 goals and 30 assists after 7 games and has a 12 point lead. This is the 2nd Firstar player of the week for Lewis this year. He will receive a gift pack from FIRSTAR PERFORMANCE APPAREL.
3 Star Standings
Lewis Ratcliff 19 points
Jordan McBride 13 points
Luke Wiles 10 points
Derek Lowe 10 points
Jarrett Davis 10 points
Rhys Duch 8 points
Shamrocks on Top of the National Rankings.
SUBWAY® Restaurants LacrosseTalk National Rankings
June 15, 2009 - Senior A Lacrosse Top 7 (Week 6)
Rank Team League 2009 Record Last Week
1 Victoria Shamrocks WLA 7-0-0 1
2 St. Regis Indians MSL 5-1-0 2
3 Coquitlam Adanacs WLA 5-2-0 5
4 New West Salmonbellies WLA 4-3-1 4
5 Six Nations Chiefs MSL 4-2-0 6
6 Peterborough Lakers MSL 4-3-0 3
7 Brampton Excelsiors MSL 4-3-0 7
Honourable Mention – Maple Ridge Burrards WLA 4-4-0 NR
Shamrocks Now 6-0
If you like your lacrosse action-packed, you should have been at Bear Mountain Arena Friday to see the Shamrocks win their sixth straight game 18-9 against the Maple Ridge Burrards. This game had everything as the two teams combined for 99 shots on goal. There were pretty goals, despite the score some great goaltending, and as in any rout the requisite fisticuffs late in the contest.
The starting goaltenders were Aaron Bold for the ‘Rocks and Ron Shibild for the Burrards.
The scoring came early and often in the opening period as Luke Wiles went 5-hole on the Shamrocks' first shot of the game. Dean Hill finished off some nice passing plays to bury one at 1:35, that one coming on the power play at 1:35. At 2:29 the home team took a 3-0 lead with Noah Talbot picking up a rebound and beating Shibild. The Burrards replied with the first of two consecutive power play goals, Derek Lowe finding twine at 3:34. Randy Daly got the visitors within one at 8:02 and it was game on. Or maybe not. The Shamrocks went on another 3-goal run with Wiles scoring his second as he dived across the front of the net at 9:04. At 11:30 it was Lewis Ratcliff's turn, as his shot ricocheted around Shibild and found its way to the back of the net. At 17:18 Rhys Duch threaded the needle and it was Victoria 6, Maple Ridge 2. The Burrards managed to turn on the red light one more time before the period ended, Andrew Murphy scoring at 18:01 with an extra player on the floor and a delayed penalty pending to the Shamrocks. Only 3 penalties were called in the period, 2 to the ‘Rocks and 1 to the visitors, all three resulting in power play goals. Shots on goal were even at 17 each.
The second period was a little like a shooting gallery as 14 goals were scored in all, 10 of those by the Shamrocks. Curt Morwick scored on a hard shot through traffic at 4:37 to get the show on the road. After a lull of a few minutes, the Shamrocks scored 4 goals in 40 seconds and the rout was on. Dylan Llord scored a power play marker at 8:19, picking a corner over Shibild's shoulder. Off the ensuing faceoff Morwick got his second of the game at 8:25. Morgan Bentley replaced Shibild in goal but the ‘Rocks showed no mercy, Llord getting his second glove side at 8:52. He then added his hat trick goal off the ensuing faceoff at 8:59. The Burrards finally stopped the bleeding when Jeff Sauve reached around Bold to score at 10:28 but it was only a temporary reprieve as Victoria rattled off three more in the span of a little less than 2 minutes. Jeff Shattler picked up a bounce off the end boards and hammered it home at 11:12. On the power play Luke Wiles picked up his hat trick at 12:05, picking off an errant Maple Ridge to start the play and then finishing off on a pass from Duch. George Westwood then picked up a loose ball and got a long pass down the floor to Ratcliff for his second of the game at 13:05. The Burrards came to life, albeit briefly as they managed a string of 3 consecutive goals. At 13:26 Bold got a piece of a shot by Jarrett Davis but couldn't contain it. Aaron Davis followed that up beating Bold with a hard shot at 13:59. Lowe then notched his second, again a power play goal, at 16:05. The Shamrocks rounded out the scoring with Wiles getting his fourth at 16:52 and Shattler getting his second at 17:17. After two periods the home team had a 16-7 lead on the scoreboard and a 38-32 edge in shots on goal.
The scoring cooled down in period 3 as tempers heated up. One of the fan favourite plays of the period was a huge hit by Shamrocks team captain Buck Stobart early in the period. It didn't result in a penalty but it did leave a big wet spot on the floor and the fans loved it. The Burrards got on the scoreboard first, Daly getting his second, shorthanded at 4:46. Wiles continued his outstanding performance with a pair of goals at 6:45 and 8:37, the second coming on the power play. The rough stuff started with a high stick by Kevin Reid to the Shamrocks' Duch. Dylan Llord took offense and a brief scuffle sent Reid to the box for 4 minutes and Llord for 2. Reid no sooner got out of the box and he got into it with Curt Morwick, not your typical fisticuffs kind of guy. Reid took the extra minor penalty and both took 5-minute majors for fighting. While they were at it, Mark Nichol of the Burrards and Jeff Summerfeld had what was probably the main event with Nichol using his height and reach advantage to good use. Both were sent off with 5 and a game misconduct. All right, can we get back to lacrosse now? Maple Ridge did manage to score one more goal, that coming off the stick of Athen Yuen and 14:06. The extra curricular activity wasn't quite over as Nick Inch took a TKO over Derek Lowe in the final battle of the contest, both receiving 5-minute majors and Lowe leaving with a giant headache.
Although the two points in the standings is probably the most important thing, a number of players added major points to their personal statistics in the game. Luke Wiles had 6 goals, Dylan Llord a hat trick and 1 assist, Jeff Shattler 2 goals and 3 helpers, Rhys Duch a goal and 6 assists, Lewis Ratcliff a 9-point night on 2 goals and 7 helpers. Curt Morwick chipped in a pair of goals and 2 assists and Dean Hill adding a single. Jamie Roy also contributed 3 assists. Aaron Bold kicked out 37 of the 46 shots he faced. The result leaves Victoria with 12 points, 3 ahead of second-place New Westminster and holding a game in hand over the ‘Bellies.
For the Burrards it was Randy Daly, Derek Lowe and Athen Yuen each with a pair, Lowe also chipping in with 4 assists. The other goals came off the sticks of Jeff Sauve, Aaron Davis and Andrew Murphy.
The Shamrocks will have no time to rest on their laurels as they travel over the Malahat Saturday to face the Nanaimo Timbermen at Frank Crane Arena. Next home game for the ‘Rocks is next Friday, June 19 when the visitors will be the Langley Thunder. Game time is 7:45 at Bear Mountain Arena.
Fans will also want to mark Friday, June 26 on their calendars. That is the date for the annual Shamrocks Tailgate Party, taking place in the parking lot from 5:00 to 7:00 pm prior to the game against the Nanaimo Timbermen. There will be food, beverages, lots of family-friendly activities so come out early, meet the players, have a bite to eat and stick around for the game.
- by Janice Huckin
Shamrocks Deal With Timbermen
The Victoria Shamrocks have traded the playing rights of Myles Kenny to the Nanaimo Timbermen in exchange for Nanaimo's third round pick in the 2010 WLA Draft.
The Shamrocks drafted Kenny from the Victoria Junior Shamrocks with their third round pick earlier this year.
“We’re sorry to see Myles go,” said Shamrocks General Manager Chris Welch. “He’s a great guy but he got caught up in a numbers game here and he needed a chance to play. We wish him all the best with his new club.”
‘Rocks Streak Continues
The Victoria Shamrocks extended their winning streak to 5 games with a 12-9 victory over the defending WLA champs, the New Westminster Salmonbellies Friday at Bear Mountain Arena. The victory, their second over the ‘Bellies, also gives the ‘Rocks the nod in the season series which, although not important this early in the season, may play a part when playoffs roll around.
The visitors got on the board first. Veteran Chris Gill scored at the 46-second mark, putting his shot over the shoulder of starting Victoria goaltender Nick Patterson. It was the ‘Bellies' first shot of the game and they had a 1-0 lead. The lead held up until almost the middle of the period, which was accentuated by some end-to-end action, some great goaltending by Patterson's counterpart Tyler Richards and a few goalposts by the home team. Dean Hill finally solved Richards with a bullet-drive off some great passes from Rhys Duch and Kyle Morwick at 9:51. Salmonbellies' leading scorer Jamie Floris once again gave the visitors the lead at 11:35 but off the ensuing faceoff, Kyle Morwick tied things up with a solo effort at 11:49. The teams exchanged goals again near the end of the period, Curtis Manning getting a breakway at 16:11 after a barrage of Victoria shots at the other end of the floor. That lead was also short-lived as Luke Wiles, being pushed into Richards, managed to tuck the ball behind the netminder at 17:17 and when the period ended, the teams were deadlocked at 3. Victoria outshot New West by a 22-13 margin as Richards was at times outstanding. At the other end of the floor, the Shamrocks defense was punishing the ‘Bellies and forcing turnovers on the 30-second clock time and again.
Victoria started period 2 on the penalty kill and after successfully killing that off, took their first lead of the game when team and league leading scorer Lewis Ratcliff buried one at 1:47. Just 18 seconds later Jamie Roy, off the faceoff, got in close and beat Richards to put the home team up by a pair. Ratcliff notched his second of the contest at 7:42 after a big save by Patterson at the other end of the floor. Sean Robinson cut the gap with a hard shot, a little on the high side at 8:57 but Dylan Llord got that one back at 10:20 with a hard overhand shot. But the ‘Bellies were awake now. After Ian Hawksbee stole the ball and went coast to coast to score unassisted at 12:05, Martin Cummings closed the gap to one with an over-the-shoulder shot that eluded Patterson at 16:17. Before the period ended, Rhys Duch regained the 2-goal lead for the ‘Rocks, scoring at 18:51. Again there was a big edge in shots on goal, Victoria coming out ahead by a 20-15 count, making it 42-28 over 40 minutes.
Before everyone was back in their seats following the intermission, the ‘Bellies again crept within a goal with Kyle Ross scoring just 22 seconds in. The Shamrocks then went on a 3-goal run. At 2:27 Dean Hill scored his second of the game on the power play as the ‘Rocks showed some great ball control. Ratcliff got his hat trick at 4:46 after Shattler picked up a loose ball and got it over to the sharp-shooter. Kyle Morwick added his second of the game at 6:02 and once again it was a 3-goal lead. New West wasn't going away and big Peter Morgan pounced on a loose ball at 7:41 and added another at 15:46 with a delayed penalty call coming up against Victoria and just 10 seconds after killing off two consecutive penalties of their own. That got the ‘Bellies back within a pair but the Shamrocks showed some great patience and ball control and eventually Jeff Shattler picked off an errant New Westminster pass and, with their goaltender off for an extra attacker, added an insurance goal into the empty net at 18:24. A bit of extra curricular activity occurred right at the period's end, the Summerfield brothers tussling with Bubba Westwood and Kyle Ross, a bit of a carryover from some action during the first meeting between the two teams. Cooler heads prevailed and the teams left the floor without further incident.
Several fans leaving the game mentioned what a highly exciting game it was, lots of speed, some great saves at both ends of the floor and some hard hits thrown in for good measure. The victory puts a little more distance between the two teams, Victoria now at 5-0 and the Salmonbellies dropping to 4-2.
Lewis Ratcliff led the ‘Rocks with a hat trick and one helper, while Kyle Morwick and Dean Hill each added a pair of goals and 2 and 1 assists respectively. Both Rhys Duch and Luke Wiles had one goal and 4 assists to take the first and second star selections, with other goals coming off the sticks of Jeff Shattler, Jamie Roy and Dylan Llord. Defensively Victoria got strong performances from everyone and goalie Nick Patterson kicked out 33 of the 42 shots he faced.
For the Salmonbellies, only Peter Morgan was able to solve Patterson more than once as he picked up a pair of goals. Singles came from Jamie Floris, Curtis Manning, Kyle Ross, Chris Gill, Seaon Robinson, who added 3 helpers, Martin Cummings and Ian Hawskbee. Jordan McBride chipped in 3 assists and was named the game's third star.
Next up for the Shamrocks is a home game next Friday when the Maple Ridge Burrards will visit Bear Mountain Arena. Faceoff time is 7:45.
- by Janice Huckin
LEWIS RATCLIFF is the WLA FIRSTAR player of the week
The WLA FIRSTAR player of the week ending May 31st is LEWIS RATCLIFF of the Victoria shamrocks. Lewis was selected 1st Star in 2 of the 3 games he played. He scored 6 goals and assisted on 11 others for 17 points in 3 games. He now leads all scorers with 23 points in 4 games. Lewis will receive a gift pack from FIRSTAR PERFORMANCE APPAREL.
Rocks Find a Way - 3 games in 4 nights
The Shamrocks hit the ferry lineup a little weary on Sunday afternoon. A trip to Maple Ridge is never pleasant for the visiting team but, If there is one optimistic analysis when facing a three games in four nights weekend, it is the fact that it is still early in the season. The analysis might be a little different in July with the roster nursing a season-long accumulation of bumps and bruises. Regardless of the Rocks’ fatigue factor, however, the host Maple Ridge Burrards were strapping on equipment still wet from their Saturday night encounter with the Adanacs. That made for two tired teams and the game a toss up.
Jarrett Davis did get the Burrards on the board at 17:11, before the Rocks restored the four-goal lead with Ward bagging his second goal, from Shattler at 18:16. The period ended with the Rocks ahead 5 to 1. Shots on goal also favoured Victoria 17 to 11. Each team served a pair of minor penalties.
The Maple Ridge bench staff must have distributed pearls of wisdom in the intermission, as the Burrards' reversed the scoreline from the first period. The hosts bagged four goals, including a three goal run. Shooters getting credit for the goals were: Miotto at 5:48; Jarrett Davis on a power play at 11 minutes; and Athen Yuen at 11:29. The Rocks broke up the run when Ward and Dean Hill set up Dylan Llord on a power play at 13:26. That goal slowed the Burrards' charge, but the hosts did get the final goal of the period, from Yuen at 18:09.
The period ended with the Rocks holding a 6 to 5 lead. The shots on goal totals also reflected a turn around from the opening frame, with Maple Ridge credited with 18 shots, to 10 for the Rocks. The period also featured just two minor penalties to the Burrards, and four minors to the Rocks. The Rocks were largely tagged with retaliation penalties and were lucky that it only cost the green one power play goal. However, that real cost for that lack of discipline was the time wasted on the PK, rather than attacking the Maple Ridge net.
Not surprisingly, the third period began with an outbreak. At 2:04, three minors and two fighting majors marred the proceedings. The end result was an opportunistic short-handed goal from Creighton Reid that tied the game at 6. When the dust had cleared from the scuffle, the Rocks put their heads down and worked hard for a three goal run: Ratcliff and Kyle Morwick set up Dean Hill at 10:20; then Dylan Llord assisted on a pair from Ratcliff, at 14:48 and 16:54. The Rocks had established a three-goal lead at 9 to 6. The last goal of the game was a hat trick marker from the Burrards' Yuen, at 19:46.
The Rocks took at 9 to 7 win to the bus for the trip to the ferry terminal. The final shot totals were; Victoria 41, Maple Ridge 35.
Lewis Ratcliff went 2 and 4 for a six point night, and was selected the first star of the game. Ratcliff was also selected the WLA Firststar player of the week, scoring 6 goals and 11 assists in three games, and being selected first star in two of the three games.
Second star of the game was the Burrards' Athen Yuen, with a hat trick on the night. The third star was the Rocks' backstop, Nick Patterson, who made 34 saves to take the win.
Next up for the Rocks is the second encounter of the season with the Salmonbellies. The game goes at 7:45 on Friday June 5th, at Bear Mountain.
By Frank Greenlay
Shamrocks stay perfect
Lewis Ratcliff was toying with the idea of remaining in Toronto for the summer, where he plays professionally during the winters in the National Lacrosse League. But family considerations brought him back to his hometown, and with that decision, the fortunes of the Victoria Shamrocks have been dramatically altered in 2009.
Ratcliff, a precision assassin with a stick and two-time Mann Cup national champion with the Shamrocks, is showing the form that netted him 47 goals and 93 points in 16 games for the Shamrocks in 2007. He scored two goals and recorded six points yesterday in leading the undefeated Shamrocks to a 9-7 win over the Burrards (2-3) at Planet Ice in Maple Ridge.
Ratcliff now has six goals and 23 points to lead the WLA in scoring as the Shamrocks have started the 2009 campaign with four consecutive victories.
Victoria got off to a quick start in Maple Ridge, leading 5-1 after the first period, and then weathered a steady Burrards counterthrust which fell just short. The score was 6-5 Victoria after two periods.
Ryan Ward, another two-time Mann Cup-champion Victoria-produced player, had two goals and one assist yesterday. Other Shamrocks goals came from Jeff Shattler, Dylan Llord, Kyle Morwick, Curt Morwick and Dean Hill. The diminutive but slippery Athen Yuen led Maple Ridge with three goals.
Nick Patterson parried 34 of 41 Maple Ridge shots in taking the win.
© Copyright (c) The Victoria Times ColonistShamrocks Hammer Lakers
The Victoria Shamrocks, playing their second game in two nights, gave up the early lead but bounced back to hammer the Burnaby Lakers 14-4 at Bear Mountain Arena Friday
The visiting Lakers got the jump on the Rocks, Chris Fox scoring on starting goaltender Aaron Bold just 1:06 into the contest, an unassisted goal on the Lakers' first shot of the game. Chase Williams put the visitors up by a pair, sneaking one inside the post at 3:06. Now the Shamrocks were awake! Jamie Roy answered at 5:02, cutting across and beating Burnaby's Scott Lowe. The next goal didn't arrive until the Shamrocks' Rhys Duch picked up his own rebound and scored with a hard shot from the slot. That had the score tied at 2 and Victoria would add another pair before the period ended. Lewis Ratcliff connected after a lot of frenetic activity in front of the Burnaby net, with the goaltender down. Roy added his second at 19:59 to send the home team to the dressing room with a 4-2 lead after 20 minutes. Both teams were guilty of some giveaways and action was end to end with no penalties called - a rarity in the game of lacrosse. Victoria outshot the visitors by a margin of 17-12.
The middle frame was all Victoria on the scoreboard. Luke Wiles put the first one up and over the goalie at 2:23. Playing shorthanded, the newly-returned Ryan Ward scored his first of the season at 4:16, grabbing a quick pass from Dean Hill. Team captain Buck Stobart picked up what was likely his easiest goal when Burnaby netminder Lowe misplayed the ball and watched helplessly as it went into his own net. That goal came at the 7-minute mark. Only 43 seconds later Ratcliff scored his second of the game, taking a pass from behind the net and making no mistake. Ratcliff was on a tear, adding his hat trick marker at 17:16 on the power play. And again just as time was about to expire, the Shamrocks took a 10-4 lead on a goal by Jeff Shattler. The time showing on the clock was .1 of a second. Shots again heavily favoured Victoria 19-10 and they were looking stronger as the game went on.
The third period opened much the same as the first. Burnaby's Jeff Buchanan scored at the 2:33 mark on an end-to-end run, the first goal allowed by Bold in almost 40 minutes of play. Dave Morrish then added the Lakers' fourth, going over Bold's shoulder at 3:28. As they did in the first period, the Rocks picked it up a notch and did not allow a goal the rest of the way. Ward scored his second short-handed goal for the home team at 12:42 and 10 seconds later, right off the ensuing faceoff, Duch scored unassisted, his second of the contest and another shorthanded marker. Stobart worked a little harder for his second of the game, doing his impression of a runaway freight train and scoring unassisted at 15:48. With things well in hand, Duch added his hat trick goal, a low hard shot, at 17:06 and the Shamrocks were content to let the clock run down.
It was a great team effort which saw the Shamrocks fire 53 shots at Burnaby's Lowe while Aaron Bold was solid in turning away 28 of the 32 shots he faced. Everybody did their bit to provide a strong defense in front of him. Leading the winners offensively were Rhys Duch and Lewis Ratcliff each with a hat-trick and adding 2 and 4 assists respectively. Jamie Roy, Buck Stobart and Ryan Ward each had a pair with singles coming from Jeff Shattler and Luke Wiles. Victoria swept the three stars with Ratcliff, Stobart and Dean Hill showing up 1-2-3.
For the Lakers it was Jeff Buchanan, Chase Williams, Dave Morrish and Chris Fox lighting the lamp, Williams also contributing 2 helpers.
The result moves the Shamrocks into first place in the WLA with a 3-0 record. They will have little time to reflect on their success as they go back into action in Maple Ridge Sunday against the Burrards. Next home game for the ‘Rocks is next Friday, June 5 at Bear Mountain when they will host the defending league champs, the New Westminster Salmonbellies.
A New Season Indeed
With a near complete roster, and several players having had only single practice with new teammates, the Victoria Shamrocks traveled to Queens Park Arena to face the New West Salmonbellies. The Bellies have been the WLA powerhouse for the last two years, and the Rocks are in the third year of a rebuilding project. Before the game, Assistant Coach Darren Reisig noted that there were 11 names on the roster for the New West game last year, meaning that there were 11 new faces in the lineup for the evening’s festivities. Contemplating the game, Reisig also noted that he expected the match to be interesting. It was.
Many in the stands expected a cautious opening to the game, with the teams feeling each other out. However, from the opening draw, the Rocks broke into the New West zone. Ian Llord had the ball and found Rhys Duch open and streaking in on former Shamrock Matt Roik in the Bellies net. Duch made no mistake, finding a short-side opening to score just 12 seconds into the match. After 8 minutes of scoreless ball, at 8:38 Duch was again the trigger man, this time assisted by Curt Morwick and Scott DeFrancesco. The second goal by the visitors seemed to wake up the boys in red, who responded with two goals: at 9:50 from MacNeil and at 10:47 from the stick of Robinson. It was truly game on. The Rocks' newcomer Dean Hill tallied at 10:58, from Duch and Lewis Ratcliff. That goal was followed by another pair from the Bellies: Floris at 11>22 and Crompton at 11:37, to take a one goal lead. But, the Rocks would close the period with a three-goal run: The second from Hill on tha long-range lazer, assisted by Ratcliff and Shattler aat 12:52; Shattler with his first short-handed and unassisted at 15:01, and; Curt Morwick with his second at 18:08, from Ratcliff and Duch. The last goal came courtesy of great ball movement around the Bellies' goal. At the start of the middle peri od, the Rocks again struck quickly, scoring at just 7 seconds. The goal was set up from the draw, with Ben Johnson getting the assist for Duch to score his hat-trick. This time the Bellies answered the wake-up call, blanking the Rocks for the rest of the period, while scoring three goals to tie the game: Cummings at 3:03; a power play goal from Gill at 4 minutes even, and; a late marker from McBride at 17:36. The teams went to the intermission tied at 7. The third period started with a display of some old style Shamrock magic. The boys in green went on a four goal run to put the Bellies' backs up against the wall. Duch set up Wiles at 3:37; a great play at the crease led to the second goal from Wiles at 5:25, assisted by Duch and Shattler; an unassisted goal credited to Wiles that many thought was scored by Duch at 7:42, and; another unassisted goal, this time from Curt Morwick at 8:23. The Bellies were discombobulated. Regrouping, the Bellies got one goal back, the second from Cummings, at 9:20, to stop the Rocks' run. That was all she wrote for the Bellies scoreline, and was cancelled out when Dean Hill found his hat-trick at 9:42, assisted by Curt Morwick and Duch. The Bellies kept their composure and stepped up the attack, pulling Roik for the extra man with over 5 and a half minutes left in the game. Nick Patterson was a wall and the Rocks D held firm, while sending the occasional fast attack back up the floor. This was not a night for the hosts. The Rocks did manage one last goal, from Kyle Morwick at 19:26, with Patterson credited with the lone helper. The final score was 13 to 8. with the shots on goal narrowly favouring the Bellies 46 to 42. I had the pleasure of chatting with a member of a senior club executive board who noted that the game we were watching was the best antidote to the clutch and grab play that has crept into the game. The speed and skill on display would sell the game to anyone watchikng. It was a fast and exiting game that, but for a few breaks here or there, might have given the points to the Bellies. But, on this night, the Shamrocks found a way to prevail. The three stars were; 3rd, Nick Patterson with 38 saves; 2nd, Jamie Floris with four points and a solid game, and; 1st, Rhys Duch leading the Rocks with 8 points on 3 goals and five assists. We are going with the official scoring here folks, as I and many believe that Duch had four goals. It does not get easier for the Rocks, who face off with Burnaby at Bear Mountain tonight, May 29th. Game time is 7:45 PM.Rocks Open at Home With a Win
An excellent crowd showed up at Bear Mountain Arena Friday to celebrate the beginning of the Shamrocks’ sixtieth season and the fans went home happy as the ‘Rocks held off the Langley Thunder for a 12-11 victory
Prior to the start of the game a number of former Mann Cup winners and members of the Lacrosse Hall of Fame were honoured at centre floor. The very first captain of the Shamrocks, way back in 1950, Duff McCaghey performed the opening faceoff between the two opposing captains. Also in attendance for the festivities were Larry Bell, current head coach Art Webster, Chris Hall, Larry Smeltzer, Kevin Alexander, Ed Kowalyk, Whitey Severson, Charn Dhillon, Ranjit and Nirmal Dillon, Rick Brown. These players show the proud tradition of the Shamrocks.
But back to the game at hand. Nick Patterson got to not to start in goal for the home team with Kevin Croswell guarding the cage at the other end of the floor.
As you might expect, ‘Rocks' sniper got the crowd into the game, putting the home team up when he picked up a rebound in front of the net and scored at 5:08. Exactly four minutes later, Langley pulled even, Bryan Poole beating Patterson. Victoria was having none of that and 48 seconds later, newcomer Dylan Llord restored a Victoria lead getting in close and beating Croswell high. Before the period ended, the Shamrocks rattled off a quick pair, Kyle Morwick crashing the net to score at 16:17and Luke Wiles with an unassisted marker at 17:17. The 4-1 sore reflected the shots on goal as the Shamrocks held a 14-8 edge in that category.
Period 2 was a different story as the Thunder got on a roll. Just 1:08 in, Alex Turner turned on the red light. Stephen LeBlanc followed that up with a power goal at 4:44 and at 7:17, Graedon Cornfield tied things up, getting in close to beat Patterson. That woke up the Shamrocks and Wiles scored his second of the contest with a hard, low shot at 8:21. The lead was very short-lived as another power play goal by Kyle Belton pulled the visitors even and just 14 seconds later Belton scored his second to give Langley their first lead of the game. Not so fast! The Shamrocks were not about to let the game get away from them and Dean Hill, another newcomer, scored at 10:50. The teams traded goals, the Thunder with yet another power goal, his second of the game, courtesy of Bryan Poole at 14:03 and Hill with his second of the contest at 14:33 to get the teams knotted once again. After 40 minutes the score was Victoria 7, Langley 7 with the Thunder out-shooting the rocks 16-14.
On to period 3. The ‘Rocks got things going early, rattling off three goals by the time the period was 4:18 old. First Wiles scored his hat trick goal at 1:19. Then it was Jeff Shattler showing some good old persistence and patience and scoring unassisted at 3:30. Hill picked up his hat trick goal at 4:18 and the home team was up 10-7. Langley was unimpressed and at 4:49 Turner scored unassisted, a goal that was a little against the general flow of the game at the time. Matt Leveque, again on a Thunder power play, stole the ball and scored on a solo effort at 11:30. A few Shamrock give-aways gave the Thunder some excellent opportunities but Patterson's acrobatic saves kept things status quo for a while. Victoria rookie Scott DeFrancesco scored his first WLA goal at 13:56, tip-toeing through traffic and getting in close to restore the two-goal lead. That was not a safe lead with this Langley team and it was nail-biting time when Jeff Callard faked and then beat Patterson at 16:26 and at 18:05, Poole notched his fourth goal of the game, once again tying the game up. With Shamrock pride on the line, the Rocks got control of the ball and Wiles made his patience pay off with a nice goal to take the lead at 19:05. Victoria was able to run down the clock to preserve the one-goal victory and send the fans home happy. Shots on goal were identical to the middle frame with Langley holding a 16-14 advantage.
After the game, head coach Art Webster admitted he was not totally happy with the game but he would take the two points and move forward. Not being able to hold the lead almost led to their downfall against a hard-working Langley squad.
Leading the Shamrocks were Luke Wiles with 4 goals and 3 assists, Dean Hill with 3 goals and 2 assists and Lewis Ratcliff with a single marker and 6 assists. Other goals came from Jeff Shattler, Scott DeFrancesco, Dylan Llord and Kyle Morwick.
Langley got four goals from Bryan Poole, 2 goals and 4 assists from Kyle Belton and a goal and 4 helpers from Alex Turner. Matt Leveque, Graedon Cornfield, Jeff Callard and Stephen Leblanc had the other Thunder markers.
Victoria is on the road Thursday to face the defending WLA champion New Westminster Salmonbellies before returning to Bear Mountain next Friday, May 29 to host the Burnaby Lakers. Game time is 7:45 pm.
Victoria Shamrocks Announce Five New Faces for 2009
The Victoria Shamrocks of the Western Lacrosse Association are very pleased to announce several new faces will be joining the team in 2009, including two National Lacrosse League All-Stars
Jeff Shattler joins the Shamrocks fresh off of winning the 2009 National Lacrosse League championship with the Calgary Roughnecks. The 24 year-old was a Western Conference All-Star this year. He was also a member of the 2008 Mann Cup champion Brampton Excelsiors where he finished 14th in league scoring with 25 goals and 23 assists for 48 points in 17 games. "Shattler is an outstanding athlete with tremendous speed and he can play at both ends of the floor," said Shamrocks General Manager Chris Welch. "He‘s widely regarded as one of the top transition players in the game today, a real rising star. Our fans are going to love watching him play."
The Shamrocks have bolstered their back line with the signings of Nick Inch and Ian Llord.
Inch, a 6' 1", 215 pound defenseman, joined Shattler on the Western Conference All-Star Team this year. The 24 year-old Kitchener, Ontario native played with the Minnesota Swarm where he was teammates with fellow shamrocks Ryan Ward, Nick Patterson and Noah Talbot.
Llord, a 6' 3", 220 pound defenseman from St. Catharines, Ontario, was Shattler's teammate on last year's Mann Cup champion Excelsiors. Llord, who will turn 24 on June 8, also won an NLL championship in 2008 with the Buffalo Bandits
"Nick Inch and Ian Llord add tremendous size, skill and toughness to our defense," said Welch. "Both of these guys are just hitting their prime and they have huge upside."
Also joining the Shamrocks this year is Llord's younger brother Dylan, a 6' 3", 190 pound forward. "Dylan adds an element of grit to our offense," said Welch. "He's not afraid to go through the middle and drive to the net." The younger Llord put up just under two points per game in his rookie season of senior lacrosse last year with the Kitchener Waterloo Kodiaks in the Ontario Major Series.
Dean Hill, is a 24 year-old left shooting forward from Six Nations, Ontario. Hill, 6' 3" and 225 pounds, finished 16th in Major Series scoring last year with the Six Nations Chiefs, registering 23 goals and 24 assists for 47 points in 18 games. He is a four-year NLL veteran who has scored 52 goals and added 45 assists for 97 points in 32 career regular season and playoff games. "Dean Hill gives us a big, physical presence on our left crease, something that has been missing from our mix for a long time" said Welch. "He has great hands and is a very good finisher and he will give the other defenses difficulty."
These signings are the culmination of efforts the Shamrocks have been making for a number of years. "This is the third year we've tried to get Hill, Shattler and Ian Llord," said Welch. "We identified them as guys we wanted to add to our group pretty much right out of junior. We're very happy they're finally here along with Nick and Dylan. We think we've made our team much more competitive with these signings."
Other Notes:
- The Shamrocks open the 2009 WLA regular season at home on Friday May 22 against the Langley Thunder.
- Season tickets are still available by calling 250-474-8612.
- New for 2009 - Group rates for minor lacrosse teams, call 250-474-7627.
Shamrocks Discuss Upcoming Season on CFAX
Tune into CFAX 1070 on Thursday, May 21 from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm to listen to the Afternoon Edition with Dave Dickson as he is joined by Shamrocks President Jim Hartshorne, General Manager Chris Welch and Director Barry Rankin to discuss the upcoming 60th anniversary season of Shamrock lacrosse in Victoria. Get the inside scoop on all the excitement that the 2009 season has in store for Victoria lacrosse fans including the great line up of new talent and call in with your questions.
Victoria Shamrocks Announce the Return of Ryan Ward
The Victoria Shamrocks of the Western Lacrosse Association are very pleased to announce the return of Ryan Ward to the club in 2009. The 28 year-old Victoria native played three seasons previously with the Shamrocks in 2002, 2003 and 2005 in which he played a total of 87 regular season and playoff games, scored 121 goals and added 147 assists for 268 points. He was named the WLA MVP in 2003 and was a key part of two Mann Cup championships in 2003 and 2005.
Ryan also plays for the Minnesota Swarm in the National Lacrosse League where he is a two-time All-Star in 2007 and 2008. In six NLL seasons he has played a total of 94 regular season and playoff games in which he has scored 140 goals and added 223 assists for 363 points.
"I'm very excited to be playing lacrosse in Victoria again this summer," said Ward. "I'm looking forward to playing in front of friends and family and the best lacrosse fans in Canada."
"Ryan Ward is right up there among the best lacrosse players that Victoria has ever produced," said Shamrocks General Manager Chris Welch. "Offensively, he's the total package; a great playmaker who also has a cannon of a shot. He also has tremendous leadership qualities both on and off the floor as well as championship experience and a history of producing in big games," said Welch. "This is a major addition to our club in our drive to get back to the top of the ladder. He may have been away for the last couple of years but he has always bled green and we know our fans are going to be very excited to welcome him home."
Other Notes:
- The Shamrocks 2009 training camp is currently underway on Monday and Thursday nights from 6:00 - 8:00. Practices are being held in the Juan de Fuca Arena until the ice comes out of Bear Mountain Arena after the RBC Cup.
- The Shamrocks open the 2009 WLA regular season at home on Friday May 22 against the Langley Thunder.
- Season tickets are available by calling 250-474-8612.
- New for 2009 - Group rates for minor lacrosse teams, call 250-474-7627.
SHAMROCK SEASON TICKETS
Existing season ticket holders can now purchase their tickets at Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre 250-478-8384 or in person at the main reception desk by the pool.
All season ticket not renewed by April 19 will be released.
All season ticket not renewed by April 19 will be released.
Tickets previously purchased through the Shamrocks are now available at Juan de Fuca Reception.
Any questions or concerns cal the Rock Line 259-474-7627
The Victoria Senior Shamrocks 2009 Training Camp
The Victoria Senior Shamrocks 2009 training camp practice schedule is as follows:
Monday April 27
Thursday April 30
Monday May 4
Thursday May 7
Monday May 11
Thursday May 14
Monday May 18
Thursday May 21
All practices will be from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm.
Practices will be held in the Juan de Fuca Arena (1767 Island Highway, Colwood)
Players are asked to bring their own gear.
Victoria Shamrocks Add Depth in WLA Draft
The Western Lacrosse Association Draft was held on Tuesday, February 10, 2009 at the Firefighters Club in Burnaby. The Victoria Shamrocks went into the draft without their first round selection after using that pick to acquire Rhys Duch last year.
On Tuesday night, the Shamrocks used their first pick, 11th overall in the second round, to nab scoring star Scott Defrancesco from the Coquitlam Jr. Adanacs. The 6’ 3” lefthander finished second in BC Junior A League scoring and was a 1st Team All-Star. In 2008 he registered 36 goals and 58 assists for 94 points in 24 regular season and playoff games.
The Shamrocks used their third round and fifth round picks to land the top two faceoff men in the BC Junior A League last year, Ben Johnson of the New Westminster Jr. Salmonbellies and Myles Kenny of the Victoria Jr. Shamrocks.
The Shamrocks were pleased to select a total of nine players including three graduating junior Shamrocks.
Name | Junior Club |
Scott Defrancesco | Coquitlam Jr. Adanacs |
Myles Kenny | Victoria Jr. Shamrocks |
Kevin Lohr | Nanaimo Jr. Timbermen |
Ben Johnson | New Westminster Jr. Salmonbellies |
Kyle McCartney | Victoria Jr. Shamrocks |
Vince Canil | Delta Islanders |
Tim Evoy | Nanaimo Jr. Timbermen |
Drew Dickie | Nanaimo Jr. Timbermen / Calgary Jr. Mountaineers |
Dustin Wadden | Victoria Jr. Shamrocks |
"We welcome all nine of these young men to our club," Shamrocks general manager Chris Welch said after the draft. "We wish the Victoria players who were drafted by other teams all the best in the future."
Victoria Shamrocks Release 2009 Schedule (updated March 6)
The Victoria Shamrocks are pleased to release their schedule of 18 games for the 2009 Western Lacrosse Association season that includes nine home games at Bear Mountain Arena. The Shamrocks open the season at home on Friday, May 22 against the Langley Thunder.
The Shamrocks are shifting their home schedule towards weekends; seven of the nine home games will be played on Friday nights and two will be on Wednesday nights. "We hope to move all of our home games to Friday by next year," said Shamrocks General Manager Chris Welch. "There's simply no better way to start the beautiful summer weekends on southern Vancouver Island than by experiencing all the exciting action of Shamrock lacrosse in a great atmosphere at Bear Mountain Arena."
Season tickets will be available for renewals and new purchases soon. Meanwhile, gift certificates for season tickets are available at last year's prices ($144 for adults, $108 for students and seniors and $63 for kids twelve and under) by calling the Rocks line at 250-474-7627.
Victoria Shamrocks 2009 Schedule (home games highlighted in bold)
Friday, May 22 | Langley | at | Victoria | 7:45 |
Thursday, May 28 | Victoria | at | New Westminster | 7:45 |
Friday, May 29 | Burnaby | at | Victoria | 7:45 |
Sunday, May 31 | Victoria | at | Maple Ridge | 6:45 |
Friday, June 5 | New Westminster | at | Victoria | 7:45 |
Friday, June 12 | Maple Ridge | at | Victoria | 7:45 |
Saturday, June 13 | Victoria | at | Nanaimo | 7:00 |
Friday, June 19 | Langley | at | Victoria | 7:45 |
Friday, June 26 | Nanaimo | at | Victoria | 7:45 |
Saturday, June 27 | Victoria | at | Coquitlam | 7:45 |
Friday, July 3 | Victoria | at | Burnaby | 7:45 |
Sunday, July 5 | Victoria | at | Maple Ridge | 6:45 |
Wednesday, July 8 | Coquitlam | at | Victoria | 7:45 |
Saturday, July 11 | Victoria | at | Langley | 7:45 |
Thursday, July 16 | Victoria | at | New Westminster | 7:45 |
Friday, July 24 | Burnaby | at | Victoria | 7:45 |
Wednesday, July 29 | Coquitlam | at | Victoria | 7:45 |
Saturday, August 1 | Victoria | at | Nanaimo | 7:00 |
Salmonbellies finish off Shamrocks
Victoria Shamrocks to come together. Unfortunately for the Shamrocks, that season was swept away last night at Bear Mountain Arena by the New Westminster Salmonbellies.
The Salmonbellies defeated the Shamrocks 10-7 to clinch the best-of-seven Western Lacrosse Association semifinal four games to none. New West will advance to their third WLA championship series in three years, against either the Coquitlam Adanacs or Burnaby Lakers. The Adanacs have a
2-1 lead in the other semifinal.
"I think it was a tough battle," New West coach Bob Salt said. "I don't think we dominated them, I think we played a solid game every game.
"And our goaltending was excellent."
The Shamrocks played what assistant coach Darren Reisig considered to be one of their best games of the season on Saturday night, an 11-7 Game 3 loss in New West, and the effort continued last night. The Salmonbellies have been building for three solid years, and they were simply too strong for a Victoria group still on the rebound from a last-place finish last season.
"I think our young guys really played well," Salt said.
Tyler Crompton opened the scoring on a power play at 5:53, but the Shamrocks answered with three straight goals to go up 3-1. Tyler Heavenor started it off with a terrific move on New West's Matt Roik, drawing the goaltender low, then shooting high. Kelly Hall and Ted Jenner added two more, giving the Shamrocks their first lead in the entire series to that point.
If it hadn't been for Ilija Gajic, the 'Rocks might have been able to maintain it.
Getting into the same kind of zone as Cliff Smith, who burned the Shamrocks for four goals on Saturday, Gajic took a turn, and appeared to be unstoppable.
"They're so deep, and they're talented," Reisig said.
Gajic nailed two goals, one on the power play, to even the score, and the Shamrocks tried to shake things up by switching starting goalie Aaron Bold for Nick Patterson. Dave Morgan, however, put New West in front 4-3, before Luke Wiles connected in the final minute of the opening period, to send the teams to the dressing room locked at 4-4.
In an crowd-thrilling show of determination, Chris McElroy got the edge back for Victoria, with a shorthanded goal at 1:03 of the second period. McElroy spent 30 seconds tearing around the floor, avoiding the swinging sticks of the Salmonbellies, and made it all the way to the net.
But then it was Gajic's turn again. No. 9 scored two goals, 26 seconds apart, and the announcement had barely cleared the speakers, when Jordan McBride made it 7-5. The Shamrocks put Bold back in, but New West's ability to explode with cluster bombs of goals, continued with a shorthanded marker by Cory Melville.
"We been doing that all year," Salt said. "It seems when we decide to really run, the ball just goes for us."
Lewis Ratcliff, who really stood in and took a beating from the New West defence, notched one more for Victoria, but his goal was offset by Chris Gill, giving the visitors a 9-6 advantage to begin the third period.
Smith made his presence felt on a power play at 9:13 to basically put the game out of reach, and Rhys Duch tallied the Shamrocks last goal of 2008.
Bellies Take a tight Grip
The Victoria Shamrocks were looking uphill in game three of their WLA semi-final, after dropping the first two games of the series. The Rocks bench staff needed the team to bring their best to the bright green floor at Queens Park on Saturday night, and the men in green hit the floor with their hearts on their sleeves. While there are those that thought the outcome was a foregone conclusion, there were many who went away impressed the gutsy performance from the Islanders.
Game One in the Books
The Shamrocks travelled to Queens Park Arena to face off in game 1 of their WLA semi-final series against the league winning Salmonbellies. The Bellies have a young team, deep with skilled sticks. The Rocks brought a full lineup to the game, and gave the Bellies all they could handle. While the Bellies never trailed, the Rocks put together some beautiful plays and sent the message that this series will be interesting.
In the first period, the Rocks outshot the Bellies 16 to 9, but trailed by four goals at the intermission. Victoria shooters were a little off, and Tyler Richards continued with the hot hand he has held all season. The Bellies shooters made the most of their chances, getting goals from Peter Morgan (2), Jordan McBride and Tyler Crompton
Western Lactrosse Association Semi-Final Playoff schedule is set.
Victoria at New West Tue Aug 5 7:45pm Queens Park
New West at Victoria Thu Aug 7 7:45pm Bear Mountain
Victoria at New West Sat Aug 9 7:45pm Queens Park
New West at Victoria Mon Aug 11 7:45pm Bear Mountain
Victoria at New West Wed Aug 13 7:45pm Queens Park if necessary
New West at Victoria Fri Aug 15 7:45pm Bear Mountain if necessary
Victoria at New West Sat Aug 16 7:45pm Queens Park if necessary
Shamrocks topple T-Men
The Victoria Shamrocks were looking for a momentum builder last night at Bear Mountain Arena in their Western Lacrosse Association regular-season finale.
The 'Rocks had already secured a playoff spot while the Nanaimo Timbermen were playing for pride and possible jobs next season.
The Timbermen proved to be a stubborn team as they were tied 7-7 midway through the third period before Victoria finally prevailed for a 10-8 win to sweep the three-game season series with Nanaimo.
"We want to do the little things right to help us prepare for our next battle,'' said Victoria coach Art Webster before the game.
For the first time this year, Webster was able to use his full roster for most of the night, but they looked rusty.
"There is a smile on my face because I had everyone that I could use,'' said Webster. "I had five healthy scratches but I would be confident in using any one of them. The scratches have to be game ready and stay positive.
"Overall this year, the team has done everything that I asked. We made the playoffs and our goaltenders [Aaron Bold and Nick Patterson] played exceptional. Now the next step for us is to get by the first round of the playoffs.''
The Shamrocks (9-8-1) play the New Westminster Salmonbellies in the WLA semifinals while the Burnaby Lakers take on the Coquitlam Adanacs in the other.
For most of the opening period, it looked like the Timbermen, and not the Shamrocks, were the playoff-bound team.
Nanaimo tallied the first two goals of the contest as Ryan Clark and Garrett Kikot beat Bold less than a minute apart.
Lewis Ratcliff, the team's top scorer, got Victoria rolling at the 11:21 mark when he caught Nanaimo goaltender Matt King moving. From long range, Ratcliff fired the ball over King's shoulder.
The Timbermen restored the two-goal lead when Clark notched his second of the game, blasting a shot past Bold on the short side of the net.
Ryder Bateman and Luke Hinton then countered for Victoria as the first period ended in a 3-3 tie.
The Island rivalry heated up in the second period as there were several skirmishes, including some with King, the former Shamrock.
The power play gave Victoria's its first lead of the night in the second period as Luke Wiles and Ratcliff connected with the man advantage.
Ratcliff, who also had a third-period fight, scored four goals while Wiles and Curt Morwick each tallied twice. Bateman and Hinton also scored for Victoria.
Matt Taylor led Nanaimo with three goals while Ryan Clark and Garrett Kikot each scored twice and Tyler Perry had the other.
Nanaimo outshot Victoria 54-44.
IN THE POCKET: The 'Rocks open the best-of-seven semifinal Tuesday at Queens Park Arena in New Westminster. The second game is next Thursday at the Bear with a 7:45 p.m. start. Game 3 is Aug. 9 in New West and the fourth match is Aug. 11 (Monday) at the Bear.
© Times Colonist (Victoria) 2008
Adanacs edge 'Rocks
COQUITLAM -- With a burst of third-period firepower, the Coquitlam Adanacs scored six straight goals to overcome an 8-5 Victoria lead, and went on to edge the Shamrocks 11-10 last night at Coquitlam Sports Centre.
The Shamrocks, now 7-7-1, are on the road in New Westminster next Thursday and Nanaimo on Saturday, before winding up the Western Lacrosse Association schedule against the Timbermen on July 30 at Bear Mountain.
On goals by Ryder Bateman and Nolan Heavenor (shorthanded), the Shamrocks had a 2-0 lead by 2:32 of the first period. It didn't take long, however, for the Adanacs to respond. Gary Bining scored on the power play, and Dane Dobbie beat Victoria goaltender Nick Patterson to make it 2-2 just before the period ended.
What had been an extremely tough game, much like the 11-11 tie between the teams on Wednesday, erupted when the fuses blew mid-way through the second period.
The Shamrocks were down 4-2, on Adanacs goals by Bining and Jason Wulder, when Victoria's George Westwood threw the gloves off against Steve McKinlay. With the flare-up sorted out, the Shamrocks played two men short for nearly a full two minutes.
The 'Rocks killed off the penalties, and caught fire, scoring three goals in 44 seconds. Bateman blasted across in front of Adanacs goaltender Chris Levis, scoring as he went. Rhys Duch was next, and Ted Jenner put Victoria up 5-4 at 11:27 of the second period.
After another knucklebuster between Victoria's Jeff Summerfield and Coquitlam's Brad Richardson, the Shamrocks were a man short again, but Jenner faked his way to a shorthanded marker.
Peter Veltman and Shamrock Kelly Hall, on a power play, exchanged goals to end the second period with Victoria up 7-5.
Duch gave Victoria a three-goal advantage 23 seconds into the third period, but Dane Reelie, Trent Smalley, Wulder, Binning, and Dobbie, with a pair, only took nine minutes to power Coquitlam to an 11-8 lead. Tyler Heavenor and Duch got the Shamrocks close, but not quite close enough.
© Times Colonist (Victoria) 2008
'Rocks tie up Adanacs
The Victoria Shamrocks and Coquitlam Adanacs have played through years of hostility, and they certainly didn't kiss and make up last night at Bear Mountain Arena. In a game where the yapping started during warm-up, the determined adversaries did battle right through regulation time and overtime.
Victoria's Nolan Heavenor scored with 14 seconds left to play to end it, fittingly, in an 11-11 deadlock.
"I think our players played with 110 per cent emotion. They played hard and they played smart," Shamrocks coach Art Webster said. "I've been asking them to do that all year, and I saw it tonight."
The teams have a rematch on Saturday in Coquitlam, and could very well meet again in the Western Lacrosse Association playoffs, if Coquitlam remains in second place, and the Shamrocks are able to edge out the Burnaby Lakers for third spot.
The challenge for the Shamrocks was trying to hold down Coquitlam's Dane Dobbie, an '08 draft pick, Jason Wulder, and Andy Secore. Dobbie and Wulder came into the game leading the WLA in scoring, with 56 and 52 points, respectively, and Secore was seventh.
"When they move the ball around, they can be pretty effective," Coquitlam GM Les Wingrove said.
Last night, one or more of the three had a stick in all but two of the goals the Adanacs scored. Secore and Wulder both collected power-play goals, and Secore added another in the first period. Wulder and Dobbie, with assists from Secore beat Victoria goalie Aaron Bold in the second period, and Dobbie had a goal and Secore assisted (he had six overall) on goals by Peter Veltman and Trent Smalley, in the third. Secore also scored in overtime.
Kelly Hall got the Shamrocks started barely a minute into the game, and Lewis Ratcliff evened things at 2-2. Ratcliff had been punched in the head by Ray Guze, a move the referee missed, and Coquitlam goaltender Chris Levis never had a chance on the rocket the Shamrocks' sniper launched after the hit. Ryder Bateman, who had two of his three goals in the first period, and Rhys Duch had Victoria up 5-3 by the end of the first frame.
Ratcliff added another goal in the second, but Coquitlam closed the gap to 6-5, as swinging sticks separated several players from their helmets.
"It was a very physical game, at both ends," Webster said.
The Shamrocks survived a five-on-three Coquitlam power play, and Jamie Roy set up transition goals by Buck Stobart and Jeff Summerfield, as the Shamrocks led three times in the third period. The Adanacs, however, stubbornly kept coming back.
Ryder Bateman, on a five-on-three Victoria power play, made it 9-8 with five minutes to play, but Dane Reelie made use of an extra attacker to send it to overtime at 17:03.
Reelie and Secore struck first in the 10-minute OT, and Ratcliff got one back at 3:48, but it looked like a done deal, as the clock wound down.
"It could have just ended, but they said, 'No way,' " Webster said.
In the dying seconds, the 'Rocks pulled Bold, took a timeout after Stobart got possession, and Heavenor laced his shot straight down the middle. Shots on net were even at 55-55
© Times Colonist (Victoria) 2008
'Bellies bounce 'Rocks
Former Victoria Shamrocks goaltender Matt Roik said he enjoyed his time in Victoria, and he likely had a good time last night, too, as the newest member of the New Westminster Salmonbellies.
Roik provided backup for starter Tyler Richards, as the Salmonbellies left their first-place stamp all over Bear Mountain Arena, defeating the Shamrocks 13-9 for their 12th victory in 13 Western Lacrosse Association games. Ilija Gajic, brother of Victoria Salmon Kings forward Milan Gajic, scored five goals through the second and third periods.
"We just have a real good group of guys, who are working well together," said New West coach Bob Salt, whose team was pegged to win the Mann Cup last year, until injuries, particularly to goaltender Matt Disher, got in the way.
This year, they have a big "UB" stamped on their warm-up shirts. It stands for unfinished business, and the Salmonbellies just might be unstoppable. Fast, athletic, and disciplined, the Salmonbellies came at the Shamrocks, whose record is now 7 wins and 6 losses, from every angle.
"We ran into a juggernaut," Victoria GM Chris Welch said. "That's a very, very good lacrosse team over there."
The Salmonbellies outshot the Shamrock 50-39, and used their long-armed defence to keep the pressure away from Richards, who won his 11th game as a rookie. Still, as Salt said, a rookie is a rookie, and making a deal with Ontario's Brooklin Redmen for Roik, who was drafted by Victoria in 2001 and won a Mann Cup with the Shamrocks in '03, adds plenty of experienced insurance. Roik also plays in the National Lacrosse League with Chicago.
"Matt will come in and he'll get a lot of playing time, too," Salt said. "There's no egos here. We're very very happy to have Matt."
For Roik, the move was a chance to return to the West Coast, where he hopes to settle. Before the game, it was like old home week in the tunnel, as several Victoria people dropped over to say hello, and Roik got his first look at Bear Mountain Arena. The last season he played in Victoria, the team was between homes at Archie Browning Sports Centre.
"I remember seeing the foundation of this place," Roik said, looking around. "It's good to see the old faces."
Describing himself, at age 28, as one of the old boys now, Roik expects to add big-game calmness to the Salmonbellies bench and dressing room, although they didn't need much help last night.
Along with Gajic's heroics, the Salmonbellies showed off their special teams, going five-for-eight on the power play against beleaguered Victoria goalie Nick Patterson, and adding a shorthanded marker. The Shamrocks only had three power plays, scoring once, but they were lethal playing a man-short, sinking five shorthanded goals, including three by Lewis Ratcliff.
Ryder Bateman and Rhys Duch, with two goals apiece, Kyle Morwick and Tyler Heavenor scored the other
Victoria goals, while the Salmonbellies also got goals from Cliff Smith (3), Jordan Hall (2), Tyler Crompton, Dave Morgan, and Jamie Floris.
© Times Colonist (Victoria) 2008
GETTING CLOSER
In a rebuilding year, one’s expectation is that the team will improve as the season progresses. Fans of the Shamrocks might have high expectations after the 2007 season but they are also savvy enough to be realistic. Close observers of the 2008 version of the men in green will note that the team development is on track.
Not having an opportunity to see the team at home this year, this scribbler's view is limited to seeing the Rocks playing in everyone else's barn. The Rocks have played two games at the Copeland arena in Burnaby this year, both losses. But, the signs are there. On June 13th, the Rocks lost 9 to 5 and looked at a loss when faced with a Lakers squad with a lot of jump. On July 4th, the same teams met on the same floor and it took overtime for the Lakers to bag to the two points.
In his second game with the Rocks and in a while, Luke Wiles displayed his talent early netting two goals and setting up a third from Teddy Jenner. Wiles first goal was a laser blast from 25 feet that set the crowd buzzing. The Rocks went to the room leading the Burnaby 3 to 1 after 20 minutes.
Burnaby scored 4 goals in the second, Victoria 5. Wiles and Jenner each scored their hat-trick goals, while Tyler Heavenor and Curt Morwick added singles, with Morwick scoring on a power play. This was an improved performance over their first visit to the Bog and the Rocks had a three-goal lead, at 8 to 5, when the teams went to the room for the second break.
The Lakers came out firing in the third period, scoring two goals in the first five minutes. The Rocks answered with a pair, from Rhys Duch and Nolan Heavenor at the eight minute mark. The Rocks had restored their three-goal lead. The Lakers, however, are not in a rebuilding year and continued to press and found three more goals to tie the game. The Rocks had the last possession but, after a time out, were unable to convert. The regulation game ended in a 10 to 10 tie.
The Rocks had opportunities in the overtime period, but it was the Lakers rode the first goal of the game from Cam Sedgwick to take the two points on the strength of the extra time victory. The win was a far cry from the game on June 13th.
Those that bleed green might remain concerned that the Rocks dropped two points in overtime, but there are a few more regular season games to build on. Building and developing is what this season is about. And, the playoffs are around the corner and that is when one wants the team to have tightened up. The WLA pre-season chatter was about the emergence of Maple Ridge and Langley on the strength of the 2008 draft, while the Rocks remained a question mark. A look at the standings now shows those two teams now looking up at the resurgent Shamrocks. Things are on track.
Shamrocks bury Timbermen
By their calculations, the Nanaimo Timbermen are about half a season behind everybody else in the Western Lacrosse Association, and last night at Bear Mountain Arena, the Victoria Shamrocks did their best to keep them there. With the offence finally breaking free of the single-digit doldrums, the Shamrocks downed the T-Men 12-8, and improved their record to seven wins and four losses.
Lewis Ratcliff had two goals and five assists, while Rhys Duch, in just his second Senior A game, scored a hat trick, and Curt Morwick was flying with three goals and four assists.
"Things are just starting to roll now, they're starting to fall," Morwick said, referring to both himself and the team. "It's been a long time, and it feels good."
For Nanaimo, the loss continued what has been a tough season. At the end of May, coaches Bill Hardy and Bob Vink were replaced by Roger Dubyna and Jim Kipp. Subsequently the team posted its only three victories to date.
"They just weren't responding to the coaches that were there," Nanaimo GM Earl Nicholson said. "We didn't want to wait until the season was over. We wanted to salvage the year."
"Since then, we kind of got our act together."
With sniper Kaleb Toth only able to fly in from Calgary for weekend games, and the dangerous Scott Ranger playing with a visible limp last night, the T-Men have had to rely on a strong defence for survival. Last night, the defenders held the Shamrocks off the board, until Morwick tallied a shorthanded marker past Nanaimo goaltender Matt King at 13:08.
The Shamrocks were up 4-2 at the end of the first period, but Nanaimo, trying to keep playoff hopes alive, fought back, and Tyler Perry put a shorthanded goal past Victoria goalie Aaron Bold to even things 4-4 at 4:57 of the second period.
It was looking dicey for Victoria, but a couple of power play goals by Duch and Ratcliff, that included the first of two assists by newcomer Luke Wiles, seemed to light their offensive fire. The 'Rocks were up 7-5 after two periods, and just kept going.
"We put a pretty good game together," said Ratcliff, who either scored or assisted on the Shamrocks first six goals. "We played with a lot more energy, and a lot more desire to get to the net.
"That's what we need to do every game."
Buck Stobart and Jamie Roy each added a pair of goals for Victoria.
Ranger, Garrett Kikot, and Tyler Perry, notching a pair each for the Timbermen, while Kyle Couling, and Matt Taylor rounded out the scoring for Nanaimo, who outshot the Shamrocks 53-46.
The Shamrocks travel to Burnaby to take on the Lakers tomorrow, and are back at the Bear against the frontrunning New Westminster Salmonbellies on Wednesday night.
In the pocket: In the Shamrocks last game, a 9-7 home loss to Maple Ridge on Friday, both Chris McElroy and Kelly Hall slipped in the same spot on the Bear Mountain floor, and were on the injured list for last night's game.
sepp@timescolonist.com
Victoria Shamrocks Announce the Signing of Luke Wiles
The Victoria Shamrocks of the Western Lacrosse Association are pleased to announce the signing of Luke Wiles. The 25 year-old right-handed forward is widely considered one of the top young stars in the sport today.
The Victoria Shamrocks of the Western Lacrosse Association are pleased to announce the signing of Luke Wiles. The 25 year-old right-handed forward is widely considered one of the top young stars in the sport today.
The Shamrocks acquired Wiles playing rights from the Barrie Lakeshores of Major Series Lacrosse in Ontario where he was one of the eastern league's top offensive players from 2004 to 2007. In each of his three seasons in Barrie, Wiles finished in the top ten in league scoring and twice in the top five. In 82 regular season and playoff games, he racked up 108 goals and 192 assists for 300 points. In 2003 Wiles capped his outstanding junior lacrosse career by winning a Minto Cup with the St. Catharines Athletics and he was named the Minto Cup Most Valuable Player.
Wiles has also been among the top offensive players in the National Lacrosse League where he has accumulated 76 goals and 117 assists for 193 points in 46 regular season and playoff games over the last three seasons. He was originally drafted fourth overall in the 2005 NLL Draft by the Philadelphia Wings and midway through his rookie season he was traded to the San Jose Stealth. Since joining the Stealth, Wiles earned NLL All Rookie Team honours in 2006 and was the Stealth's leading scorer in 2007 with 82 points (30 goals and 52 assists). His 2008 NLL campaign was cut short due to injury yet he still managed to register 54 points (20 goals and 34 assists) in just 11 games.
"We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Luke Wiles to the Shamrocks," says Shamrocks General Manager Chris Welch. "Luke is an elite player who is anxious to get playing again and the great lacrosse fans of Victoria are in for a real treat."
Shamrocks end up on low side of seesaw match
The Victoria Shamrocks have spent their last three games on a seesaw -- going up and down on the scoreboard, trying to flip the other guys off at the end of the ride. It worked for a pair of one-goal victories over the Langley Thunder, but last night at Bear Mountain Arena, it was the Maple Ridge Burrards clinging to the high side.
With a superb night from goaltender Jay Preece, the Burrards wouldn't be denied, pulling away late in the game to defeat Victoria 9-7, for their third win of the season.
The Shamrocks, who have six wins and four losses on the Western Lacrosse Association season, are back at Bear Mountain on Wednesday, when Victoria fans will get their first look at the Nanaimo Timbermen this season.
The T-Men have had a tough start to the schedule, with two victories, seven losses and a tie through 10 games, but they have traditionally been up to the challenge when it comes to Victoria.
In last night's game, the Burrards came into the Bear with their usual chippy attitude, which was no doubt exacerbated by their position in the WLA basement. Despite their frustrations, the game started off in a fairly calm manner, and Maple Ridge opened with a 2-0 lead.
Joel Dalgarno started things off with a long, underhanded strike that beat Victoria goaltender Nick Patterson at 1:24, and wily veteran Kyle Goundrey finished off a wild power-play scrum with Maple Ridge's second goal at 11:53.
As they have in the last few games, the Shamrocks found themselves in catch-up mode, and catch up they did. Kelly Hall put one by Burrards goalie Jay Preece at 12:52, and former Junior Shamrocks star Rhys Duch made the most of his debut as a Senior 'Rock, with a nifty over and under move to beat Preece at 17:29.
The penalties mounted in the second period, and the Burrards won the battle of the special teams. The period was tied 2-2, 3-3, 4-4, 5-5, and ended with Maple Ridge up 6-5.
Peter Tellis and Derek Lowe both scored shorthanded, and Lowe also added a goal on the power play.
For the Shamrocks, rookie Kyle Morwick connected at even strength (Duch had an assist), to balance off a goal by Burrard Paddy Corrigan, Kelly Hall got Victoria's lone power-play goal in five chances, and Curt Morwick scored shorthanded.
Nolan Heavenor evened things at 6-6 at the beginning of the third period, but Tellis took the lead back on a power play at 7:25. Ryder Bateman and Greg Hinman exchanged goals, leading up to a wild finish, as the Shamrocks poured on the coals trying to get the equalizer.
Maple Ridge, however, was solid, and Nate Tarrant sealed the Burrards first road win of the season with the insurance goal at 17:55.
The Shamrocks outshot the Burrards 56-40.
In the pocket: The Shamrocks played most of the game without the valuable services of defensive/tradition specialist Chris McElroy. Chasing down a loose ball near the boards early in the first period, McElroy appeared to slip and went down with a leg injury. He had to be carried off, and
didn't return to the game. ... Lewis Ratcliff wasn't in the lineup for Victoria last night.
sepp@tc.canwest.com
© Times Colonist (Victoria) 2008
Nothing is Easy
After a last place finish in 2007 it was trite to say that 2008 would be a rebuilding year. Still, after a decade at or near the top of the table, the Victoria Shamrocks faithful fans prefer to remember the strong, confident team in green and wonder when that team will hit the floor again. The signs are there, with young players gaining experience with every game and the veterans starting to mesh. And, all that is taking place in front of what is arguably the strongest pair of backstoppers in the WLA. The men in green are still the big draw on the mainland.
Victoria Shamrocks Announce the Acquisition of Rhys Duch
The Victoria Shamrocks of the Western Lacrosse Association are pleased to announce they have acquired Rhys Duch in a trade with the Langley Thunder. In exchange for Duch, the Thunder receive the Shamrocks’ first round selection in the 2009 WLA Draft.
In a standout Junior A lacrosse career with the Victoria Junior Shamrocks between 2004 and 2007, Duch played a total of 70 regular season and playoff games in which he scored 120 goals and added 152 assists for 272 points along with 52 minutes in penalties. He was a two-time first-team all-star and was the Junior Shamrocks Most Valuable Player in 2006.
The Thunder made him the 10th overall selection in the 2008 WLA Draft before the Shamrocks had an opportunity to make a selection. "(Duch) easily (could have been) a top three pick in the draft, but because he lives in Victoria nobody took him," Thunder coach Gerry Van Beek said in the Langley Advance newspaper at the time. "He is really too good to pass up. He's an all-around great player."
The Shamrocks agree with Van Beek's assessment. "Rhys is one of the best offensive lacrosse players that the Greater Victoria area has produced in a very long time and we're very happy to add him to our lineup," says Shamrocks General Manager Chris Welch. "He's a major addition for this year and a key building block for our future."
Better late than never for 'Rocks
Just two regular-season points were on the line last night at Bear Mountain Arena, but when both teams are determined to get them, it makes for a exciting evening.
The Victoria Shamrocks were aiming to make up for spotty play in recording three losses in their last three games, and the Langley Thunder were desperately seeking just their third victory of the Western Lacrosse Association season.
It was almost a photo finish, but Ted Jenner broke a 7-7 tie at 17:08 of the third period to help the Shamrocks eke out an 8-7 victory in an entertaining tilt that featured disciplined play, and speed in all directions -- quite unlike the other rough, penalty-filled previous go-round between the teams. Last night, more than half the game went by, and only one penalty (too many men against Langley) had been called.
"By playing a clean game, they're going to surprise some teams, but we were ready for the challenge," Jenner said about Victoria's fifth win of the season. "It was a huge win for us. We just played a full 60 minutes."
Rob Buchan started things off for Langley, beating Victoria goaltender Aaron Bold, the game's first star, just 41 seconds into the game. Shamrocks tough-guy George Westwood, however, netted his first goal of the season a minute later to tie it 1-1. After Jamie Lincoln got a pair to put Langley up, Ryder Bateman did what the Shamrocks haven't been doing on offence, by cutting to the net for Victoria's second goal. In their three losses, the 'Rocks scored just five goals a game.
Early in the second period, Jamie Roy used his lightning speed to draw a bead on Kevin Crosswell in the Langley net. Dogged by a defender, Roy never even paused, as he flipped home one of those over-the-shoulder-behind-the-back thrillers.
Roy's goal tied it 3-3, one of five times the game would be tied, usually with Langley getting ahead, and the Shamrocks fighting back.
"I think playing Victoria in Victoria is always tough. We want to make sure we come out running," Langley co-coach Shaun Springett said, before the game. The Thunder, who have 11 new faces on their roster this year, are in Nanaimo to take on the Timbermen tonight, then play host to the Shamrocks in Langley on Wednesday. "If we can get a couple of nice wins, it'll turn our season around."
The second period ended with Langley up 7-6, after Victoria goals by Roy (he scored back-to-back), and brothers Kyle and Curt Morwick, were countered by Langley's Kyle McEwen, Aaron Pascas, Tom Johnson, and Graedon Cornfield.
Nolan Heavenor locked things at 7-7 just over two minutes into the third period, and that's the way it stayed, in a defensive duel, until
Jenner got through with the winner.
"Their defence was a little aggressive, and I was able to beat him back door," Jenner said.
Shots were 47-45 for the Shamrocks, who were playing without regulars Lewis
Ratcliff, Nick Patterson, Noah Talbot, and Buck Stobart.
Victoria's back at Bear Mountain next Friday against the Maple Ridge Burrards.
IN THE POCKET: There's nothing like brotherly encouragement. At practice last week, Cayle Ratcliff, a Junior 'Rocks call-up for last night's game, and a possibility for Wednesday in Langley, got these words of wisdom from big brother Lewis (who let Cayle wear his No. 42 for the game):
"Don't blow it, and maybe you can play with me Wednesday in Langley."
sepp@tc.canwest.com
© Times Colonist (Victoria) 2008Friday the 13th
The Victoria Shamrocks continue to struggle after starting the 2008 season with four straight wins. The losing skid reached three games on the road in Burnaby on Friday the 13th. The Rocks were not done in by Freddie Krueger, but by the jump and energy of the Burnaby Lakers.
The Rocks were outshot in the first period, with the Lakers firing 16 shots at Nick Patterson while the green generated 8 shots to test Andrew Leyshon. The result was the Lakers took a 4 to 1 lead into the first intermission. Burnaby got its first period goals from Sedgwick, Safarik, Kilby and Olsen. The Safarik goal was scored short-handed. Victoria's lone marker was tallied by Jamie Roy, unassisted. Each team was tagged with two minor penalties, although three penalties together at 17:38 gave the Lakers a four-on-three advantage for a PPG.
Burnaby scored first in the second period before the Rocks went on a four-goal run to tie the game at 14:29. Victoria goals came from Hinton, Ratcliff, Hall and Jenner. However, Burnaby closed the middle frame with a pair of goals to take a 7 to 5 lead into the second break. In what was their best period, the Rocks outshot their hosts 15 to 13. Burnaby had four minors in the period, Victoria just two.
There were only two goals on the third period, Burnaby at 5:46 to extend their lead to three goals, and in the last minute got the ninth goal shortly before a couple of outbreaks. Whatever the cause of the outbreaks, the teams tallied up seven fighting majors and four fighting misconducts in the last minute. It did not change the outcome at the final score remained 9 to 5 for Burnaby. The Lakers outshot the Rocks in the period, 11 to 10, and in the game, 40 to 33. But, remarkably, each team tallied up 54 minutes in penalties on 13 infractions. HHMMM, interesting how that happens.
The three stars for the game were: 3rd, Lewis Ratcliff with a goal and a helper on the night; 2nd, Kerry Susheski with a goal and 3 assists, and; 1st, Cam Sedgwick with 2 goals and 1 assist.
The Rocks did not look sharp. It seemed everything moving in green was a half step slow and the passes were not right on target. Credit to Burnaby, the recent return of a couple of experienced sticks gives the bog boys a potent offense and Leyshon had a good night between the pipes. Still, the Rocks made it a little too easy for the home side.
With the roster deadline a couple of weeks away, it seems that the team will have to rediscover the early season form that opened the year with a four game win streak to maintain third place against a now resurgent Lakers team in fourth place.
Next up is a home and home with the Langley Thunder. First game is Friday June 20th at Bear Mountain. Game time is 7:45 PM.
A Tough Night on Poirier
The 4 and 1 Victoria Shamrocks traveled to the Coquitlam Sports Centre on Saturday night to meet the 5 and 1 Adanacs. Second place in the WLA at stake, as well as the bragging rights that always go along with a Rocks and A’s tilt. The match up is a fan favourite on the mainland, with the Adanacs faithful holding a considerable numerical edge in the stands, if not a big edge in decibels. But, it would be the Adanac fans going home happy.
The Adanacs had a lot of jump in the first period, scoring 3 goals and shutting out their Island visitors. Dane Dobbie with an extra man on the floor, Tent Smalley and Jason Wulder found the range for Coquitlam. Shots in the period also favoured Coquitlam, 13 to 10. Each team was assessed two minor penalties. In the second period, Victoria was assessed two early penalties before a minor penalty put the teams at four aside. The extra room on the floor opened up space for Ryder Bateman and Mike Paul to set up Kyle Morwick at 5:10. The Rocks were on the board and continued to press getting a second goal from Bateman at 9:38, assisted by Jamie Roy and Keegan Young. It was a one-goal game. But, the lacrosse Gods were smiling on the Adanacs as a penalty to the Rocks then put the A's on a power play. Wulder bagged his second goal with the A's a man up. That goal interrupted the Rocks briefly, but did not stop the second period attack. At 11:26 Kelly Hall found the range, from Roy and Nolan Heavenor, and the Rocks climbed within a single goal again. But once again, the Rocks D let down just long enough for Dobbie to tally his second goal at 13:20. Victoria's offensive output was remarkable given that they were assessed four minor penalties in the period, with Coquitlam sitting just twice. Shots on goal still favoured Coquitlam, 19 to 14. The middle frame ended 5 to 3 in favour of the host A's. The A's started fast in the third period, with Campeau scoring at 1:03, to widen the gap to 3 goals once again. The game got a little testy before a 5 minute major was assessed at the 7 minute mark against the A's McAloney for a dangerous high stick. Shawn Summerfield was tagged with a 10 minute delay of game penalty at that juncture. The Rocks took advantage of the power play, with Nolan Heavenor scoring assisted by brother Tyler and Bateman. But, another minor against the Rocks put the teams at 4 aside. This time it was the A's Secore scoring with the extra room on the floor. That goal gave the A's a lift, and they scored again at 5 aside to double up to an 8 to 4 lead. The Rocks did not quit, with the final goal of the game coming from the stick of Curt Morwick. Tyler Heavenor assisted on the goal at 16:07. That game ended with the A's taking home an 8 to 5 victory, the two points, and the bragging rights at this point in the season. The final shots on goal were dead even at 41 apiece. The long-standing rivalry continues on June 16th, with the Adanacs at Bear Mountain. However, this nights game did not end without an outbreak involving six players at 19:33. When the dust settled, the penalties assessed evened up, with Shawn Summerfield taking on McAloney to exact some retribution for the dangerous high stick earlier in the period. Summerfield also took the decision in that tussle. Nest up for the Rocks is a road game on Friday the 13th, at the Copeland Arena against the Burnaby Lakers.
Salmonbellies sink Shamrocks
NHL draft-pick Milan Gajic has been known to inflict some offensive damage in pro hockey with the Victoria Salmon Kings. His younger brother, Ilija Gajic, proved yesterday he can do the same with a different sort of sporting Salmon.
Gajic had two goals and two assists to pace the New Westminster Salmonbellies to a 7-5 Western Lacrosse Association victory over the Victoria Shamrocks in front of a sell-out crowd of 2,984 at Bear Mountain Arena.
With the notable exception of last season, the Shamrocks have been a dominant team in Canadian senior lacrosse in the recent past with four Mann Cup national titles between 1997 and 2005. But yesterday the Shamrocks met the greatest franchise in Canadian lacrosse history with 24 Mann Cups.
Both sides came into this WLA match-up undefeated, but only the Salmonbellies remained so at 6-0 while the Shamrocks dropped to 4-1. Although New Westminster's last Mann Cup title was in 1991, the club proved last night that it is anything but old news.
"This is really exciting . . . these are the two top teams in the league right now," said WLA commissioner Don Scott, who came over for the marquee early-season match-up.
"The Victoria team has changed dramatically from last season [the first in which Shamrocks missed the playoffs in 19 years] and the old fire is back. And New Westminster is showing the same kind of strength it displayed last season when the Salmonbellies were the best team in the regular season."
Although an early WLA surprise, the Shamrocks knew this was a telling week for them. It continues tonight in Coquitlam against the annually-tough Adanacs (5-1).
The Shamrocks were without leading-scorer Lewis Ratcliff, who will also miss tonight's game due to pro field-lacrosse commitments in San Francisco. His absence seemed to show as Victoria had trouble finding goals in falling behind 6-2. But the tenacious Shamrocks chipped away and brought it to 6-5 with 12:40 remaining in the third period but could draw no closer.
Both goaltenders were outstanding in facing 43 shots each with New West's sensation Ty Richards named first star and Victoria's Nick Patterson second star. Gajic was selected the game's third star. Curt Morwick, Ted Jenner, Nolan Heavenor, Kelly Hall and Keegan Young scored for Victoria.
© Times Colonist (Victoria) 2008If You Live by the Sword……back it up.
Some older hands, myself included, enjoy the intensity of the second game when the schedule has two teams playing back to back. Familiarity breeds contempt, as the saying goes. Before the memory fades, you get the chance to right wrongs and make the *%^#^%#’s pay for the slights of game one. Unfortunately, the code that underlies that sentiment seems to have faded in some quarters. Code or no code, you can’t run and hide when called out to atone for your sins. The guilty know who they are.
Down a goal, Victoria went to work and found out that the level of play tolerated by the black would be less than would be tolerated in a Senior B or C game. Given the level of play tolerated, it was not surprising that the visiting team served the first penalty. That would be expected. After all, catching the retaliation is easier than whistling down the first foul. After fighting through an unending series of high sticks and slashes that went unpunished, the Rocks finally got a power play and showed admirable restraint in the face of the slashes and took only 20 seconds to get on the board. Lewis Ratcliff finished the play that went around the floor at 7:11, with Kelly Hall and Kyle Morwick the last two to touch the ball before Ratcliff.
That goal was the first of a six-goal Victoria run to close the period. Goals two through six were: Hall and Kyle Morwick setting up Ryder Bateman on a power play at 8:29; Noah Talbot scoring short-handed and unassisted at 10:50; Hall and Ratcliff getting the helpers when Nolan Heavenor scored at 13:32; Nolan setting up brother Tyler at 16:35, and; Curt Morwick tallying unassisted at 17:58.
It was 6 to 1 for the visiting Shamrocks at the end of the first period. Victoria recorded a 17 to 14 shots advantage.
Maple Ridge opened the second period by going on a three-goal run, to close the gap to two goals. The Rocks got one back when Nick Patterson sent a perfect outlet pass to Talbot, who made no mistake finding twine. Then, with his team still in the game, Jayme Bryde, who had a double minor in the first period in a goalie altercation, was assessed a five minute penalty for boarding. Sean Summerfield stepped up to address the foul but could not find a willing combatant. When the dust had settled, there were several offsetting penalties with the boarding major the difference. Victoria scored on the power play, after just 21 seconds, with Curt Morwick and Bateman assisting on Ratcliff's second goal of the game. Victoria led 8 to 4.
The teams traded goals to close the period, with Luke Hinton going coast to coast with an outlet from Patterson, to score the last goal of the period short-handed at 19:26. The middle frame ended with Victoria holding a 9 to 5 lead. Maple Ridge held a 20 to 15 advantage in shots.
The teams each bagged a pair of goals in the first 13 minutes of the third period. Victoria goals were scored by Kyle Morwick at 6:53, assisted by speedy Jamie Roy, and Tyler Heavenor who tallied at 12:58, assisted by Ratcliff and Bateman. It was now 11 to 7 for the Rocks. With Victoria playing conservative ball, Maple Ridge continued to press and got two goals back in the last two minutes.
The damage was done, however, with Victoria special teams bagging 3 power play goals and 2 short-handed markers. The official score sheet shows that Maple Ridge was credited with a 20 to 8 shots advantage in final stanza. Many shots were from the outside and Patterson was on his game tonight. Don't be mislead by the penalty stats showing Victoria with 14 more minutes in penalties. Ten of those penalty minutes came from a 10 minute penalty to Victoria for delay of game. That call said a lot about how the game went. The sad part is that the shenanigans added up to an overly long game and is one of the reasons that there are more empty benches than bums in the seats over here on the mainland.
The final score was 11 to 9 for the visiting Shamrocks. Next game for the Rocks is at home, on Friday June 6th, when the 4 and 0 Rocks host the (at this point 3 and 0) New West Salmonbellies at Bear Mountain.
Shamrocks nip feisty Burrards
Somebody should have proclaimed "Let the war games begin" last night at Bear Mountain Arena. The Western Lacrosse Association season is barely underway, but the first get-together between the Victoria Shamrocks and Maple Ridge Burrards was definitely not a love-in.
Giving as good as they got in the pushing-shoving-hacking-whacking category, the Shamrocks pounded out an 8-6 victory, led by Kelly Hall's three goals and two assists, in front of more than 2,000 fans.
Just as he was in his other start -- a 10-6 win over the Burnaby Lakers in the Shamrocks' season opener -- goaltender Nick Patterson was outstanding faced with the relentless Burrards attack. Victoria was outshot 52-29, but Patterson was on top of the his game, behind a defence -- buoyed by the return of captain Chris McKay and speedster Chris McElroy.
"We want to try to run the floor with them," said Burrards assistant coach Rob Williams, before the game, describing his team as "feisty and fast."
At first, it seemed like they might have forgotten to take the ice out, given the low numbers on the scoreboard. The Shamrocks had killed off more than a minute of a five-on-three Burrards power play, and George Westwood reinforced his tough-guy status by throwing off the gloves against Mark Philip, before Hall nailed the first goal at 9:48 of the first period.
It wasn't that the Shamrocks hadn't been buzzing around Maple Ridge goalie Jay Preece, but their shots sailed high and wide.
Finally, firing from point-blank, Hall dumped the ball over Preece's shoulder.
Victoria led 2-0 after the first period, and an exchange in the second -- goals by Ryder Bateman and Hall were offset by Maple Ridge's Derek Lowe and Athen Yuen -- kept the Shamrocks in front 4-2.
Hall completed his hat trick to open the third period, but Peter Tellis and Greg Hinman, on a power play, had the Victoria advantage chopped to 504 at 7:41 of the third period.
The crowd was getting a little worried, but Lewis Ratcliff stung the Burrards with a shorthanded goal at 8:59, and it was all the Shamrocks needed to recapture the momentum.
Ted Jenner and Ryder Bateman stretched things to 8-4, and two more goals by Lowe weren't enough for the comeback.
Tempers erupted and several scuffles broke out in the final minutes, but the Shamrocks left the floor smiling and ready for the next round.
Sharie Epp, Times Colonist
Published: Saturday, May 24, 2008
© Times Colonist (Victoria) 2008
Game Two in the Books… …not the easy way
By Frank Greenlay
Early season games often have the feel of a pick up game with some missed passes and blown assignments. And, sometimes, a team forgets to gear up when the whistle blows. The Victoria Shamrocks found themselves down 3 – zip after just 2:08 of tonight’s match at the Civic Centre in Langley. The Thunder had the jump and made the Rocks pay for a slow start.
A rejuvenated Rocks team came out flying to start the second period, with Lewis Ratcliff scoring twice in the second minute of the frame. The first goal tied the game and the second goal gave the Rocks a one-goal lead. Still, Langley remained fired up and buckled down and continued to run the floor and get rubber on the Victoria net. However, the Rocks got their fifth goal, this one from Tyler Heavenor, to stake the visitors to a two-goal lead.
As noted, the Thunder were still very much in this game and their efforts were rewarded with a pair of goals to tie the game at the 16:48 mark. But, when Victoria was assessed a two minute minor penalty, the door was open for the Thunder to regain the lead. However, when Victoria got possession of the ball in their own end, they ran the ball into the Langley end to try to kill the penalty. In a strange move, Langley did not press the ball with the extra man, preferring to leave one defender in front of their own crease. Victoria said thank you very much and ran the clock on the perimeter until an opening appeared and Ratcliff tallied his hat-trick goal at 18:48, short-handed. A curious tactic by the Langley bench.
The Thunder displayed resilience and continued to press and the spade work was cashed in at 19:48, with Langley's 6th and tying goal. The period ended knotted at 6. Victoria had the shot advantage, barely, at 14 to 13.
The teams traded goals to start the third period, with Tyler Heavenor bagging his second of the game. Then, the lacrosse Gods stepped up. Buck Stobart was felled by a high stick from Rob Buchan. Buchan headed to the box for just a two minute minor, while it took a couple of minutes for Stobart to regain his feet and get to the bench before play resumed.
The Rocks made the Thunder pay with Bateman netting his second goal on the power play. Victoria stayed fired up and continued to press with Ratcliff finding his fourth goal, and Bateman his third, to move Victoria to a 10 to 7 lead, in about a minute and a half after the Buchan high-stick.
With that bad karma dealt with, Langley pressed on and found two more goals to pull within a single marker by 17:11. But, Victoria closed the door when Nolan Heavenor got his first goal at 19:27.
The two-goal lead stood up for the last 33 seconds. The final score was 11 to 9, with the final shot totals showing Langley holding a 49 to 35 advantage.
The three stars were: 3rd, Matt Leveque with a goal and two helpers; 2nd, Ryder Bateman on the strength of a 3 goal and 5 point night, and; 1st, Lewis Ratcliff who led all scorers with 7 points with four goals.
Next up for the Rocks is a back to back set with the Maple Ridge Burrards. First game is a Bear Mountain on Friday the 23rd at 7:45 PM. The closing bookend is Sunday night the 25th in Maple Ridge at 6:45 PM.
It is a tough start to the schedule, but a good test for a rebuilding team.
WLA FIRSTAR Player of the Week - NICK PATTERSON
The WLA FIRSTAR Player of the Week ending May 18th is NICK PATTERSON of the Victoria Shamrocks. He led his team to there 1st win of the season defeating the Burnaby Lakers 10-6. He stopped 56 shots for a 9.03 save percentage and was selected 1st star. Nick will receive a gift package courtesy of FIRSTAR PERFORMANCE APPAREL.
Nick Patterson 4 points
Kyle Goundrey 4 points
Jordan McBride 4 points
Dane Dobbie 4 points
Derek Lowe 3 points
Lewis Ratcliff 3 points
Graham Palmer 3 points
Sam Cook 3 points
Peter Tellis 2 point
Kerry Susheski 2 point
Gary Bining 2 point
Tyler Richards 2 point
Shamrocks open new campaign with a win
Entering this Western Lacrosse Association season, the Victoria Shamrocks had a lot of questions to answer. No. 1 on the list was how would this team respond after missing the playoffs last year for the first time in 19 seasons.
"Our guys are very eager to get back playing,'' said 'Rocks new coach Art Webster before the home opener against the Burnaby Lakers last night at Bear Mountain Arena.
"The guys are very anxious to address some of the things we didn't do too well last year. For us to be successful, we have to play as a team. We don't have a lot of superstars so we need to have five or six guys scoring goals for us. We are more dangerous if that happens because we'll be harder to check.''
The Shamrocks came flying out of the gate and looked like a very hungry team in posting a 10-6 victory over the Lakers.
Victoria goaltender Nick Patterson was the outstanding player of the game, especially during the first 30 minutes.
In the early going, the Lakers held a wide edge in shots on goal, but Patterson made one great save after another.
After Victoria had taken a 6-0 lead in the second period, Burnaby finally found a way to beat Patterson with its 38th shot as Joel Burgess notched the Lakers' first goal at 11:21. Overall, Patterson made 56 saves while Burnaby's Andrew Leyshon stopped 30.
By the time Burnaby scored for the first time, most of the damage had been done with a number of Shamrocks sharing in the offensive spree.
Luke Hinton, who was acquired last week for his defence from the Nanaimo Timbermen, opened the scoring for Victoria at the 3:36 of the first period on a breakaway after taking a feed from Tyler Bateman. Kyle Morwick scored three goals for Victoria while Hinton and Lewis Ratcliff each scored twice.
Hinton's second goal was a shorthanded effort in the third period. Tyler Heavenor, Kelly Hall and Jamie Roy also scored for Victoria. Ratcliff also chipped in with five assists.
Kerry Susheski sparked the Lakers with three goals and an assist.
Burgess, Kevin Olson and Rory McDade also scored for Burnaby.
The Shamrocks held period leads of 4-0 and 8-2. The three stars in order were Patterson, Ratcliff and Suseski.
ROCK TALK: The Shamrocks return to action Wednesday when they travel to Langley to play the Thunder . . . The Bear was like a sweat box last night and several times the players slipped on the floor . . . The next home game for the 'Rocks is Friday against the Maple Ridge Burrards. Game time is 7:45 p.m. at the Bear . . . The first three inductees were announced last night for the Shamrocks Wall of Fame at the Bear.
The team's first general manager Ralph Baker and players Arnold Ferguson and Duff McCaghey were inducted. The Wall of Fame honours players, coaches and other individuals who have made significant contributions over the years to the team's success.
Baker was the general manager for 14 years and was a part of three Mann Cup championship teams in 1955, 1957 and 1979.
Ferguson played six seasons for Victoria and amassed 180 goals and 190 assists in 210 games. He also played on the 1955 Mann Cup team.
McCaghey played four seasons and in 156 games, he scored 143 goals, to go along with 119 assists.
Baker, Ferguson and McCaghey were all charter members of the team.
Ron Rauch, Times Colonist
Published: Saturday, May 17, 2008
Victoria Shamrocks Announce the Victoria Shamrocks Wall of Fame
With the 59th consecutive season of Senior A lacrosse in Victoria just around the corner, the Victoria Shamrocks are pleased to announce that the Victoria Shamrocks Wall of Fame will be on permanent display at Bear Mountain Arena starting this year. The Wall of Fame will honour players, coaches and other individuals who have made significant contributions over the years to the team's success.
Induction ceremonies will be conducted at each Shamrock home game in 2008 starting with the season opener on Friday, May 16 against the Burnaby Lakers.
Inductee sponsorships are available and anyone who is interested in sponsoring an inductee is invited to contact Doug Jones at 953-8445 for more information.
Shamrocks and Western Speedway Cross Promotion
The Victoria Shamrocks are pleased to announce a partnership with Western Speedway. Everyone who attends the Victoria Shamrocks home opener on May 16 2008, will get a ticket into the Speedway for Saturday night advents.
Western Speedway, part of All Fun Recreation Park, is a 4/10-mile paved oval track and has been part of Victoria since 1954. Western Speedway, Western Canada's oldest Speedway, has first class steel structured grandstand seating for 3,000 fans on the front straightaway and paved parking for over 1,500 cars.
Western Speedway operates under the lights on Saturday Nights, and on most holidays. Western Speedway is the largest fan draw on Vancouver Island attracting more fans than any other Island sport to an average of 36 events each season from mid March to late October. Drag Racing also takes place at Western Speedway on the 500-foot strip, which incorporates the front straightaway. Drag Racing takes place on select Sunday Afternoons and Friday Nights featuring Street Classes, Super Pro Classes and the Trophy Student High School Racing Program.
For more information visit www.westernspeedway.net.
Victoria Shamrocks and Nanaimo Timbermen Complete Six Player Trade
The Victoria Shamrocks and Nanaimo Timbermen have completed a six-player trade just prior to the opening of the 2008 Western Lacrosse Association season.
The Shamrocks have dealt the playing rights of Pat Cardiff, Nic Collison, Josh Van Wieren and Riley Kemp to the Timbermen in exchange for Luke Hinton and Chris Welham.
Victoria Shamrocks Announce the Appointment of Darren Reisig as Assistant Coach
The Victoria Shamrocks of the Western Lacrosse Association are pleased to announce the appointment of Darren Reisig as Assistant Coach for the 2008 season. A former Shamrock team captain, Reisig returns to the club and joins Head Coach Art Webster behind the bench. Reisig retired as a player in 2003 following a stellar 14-year senior lacrosse career that was highlighted by three Mann Cup championships (1997, 1999 and 2003) and a WLA Most Valuable Player award (1995). His accomplishments as a player also include a Minto Cup championship in 1988 with the Esquimalt Legion.
In addition to his playing career in Victoria, Reisig played professional lacrosse for six years in the National Lacrosse League with the Vancouver Ravens, San Jose Stealth and Portland Lumberjax. He retired from his NLL playing career following the 2007 season.Currently, Reisig is the Athletic Director at Claremont Secondary School in Saanich where he is also the Head Coach and coordinator of the field lacrosse academy at the Claremont Sports Institute.
Victoria Shamrocks Add Depth in WLA Draft
The Western Lacrosse Association Draft was held on Tuesday, February 12, 2008 at the Firefighters Club in Burnaby. The Victoria Shamrocks went into the draft without a selection in the first three rounds. The Shamrocks made efforts to move up in the draft order via the trade route, but these efforts proved unsuccessful. Despite the lack of high picks, the Shamrocks came away from the draft happy with their results.
The Shamrocks were pleased to select a total of nine players including five graduating junior Shamrocks.
Trevor Scott Victoria Jr. Shamrocks
Keegan Young Victoria Jr. Shamrocks
Kyle Morwick Victoria Jr. Shamrocks
Joel Loucks Victoria Jr. Shamrocks
Davey Sundher Victoria Jr. Shamrocks
Dane Eitel Surrey Stickmen
Tyler Grewal Port Coquitlam Saints
Mike Paul New Westminster Jr. Salmonbellies
Andrew Gale Victoria Esquimalt Jr. B
"We think we have selected some players who can step into our lineup right away," Shamrocks general manager Chris Welch said after the draft. "We welcome all nine of these young men to our club and we wish the Victoria players who were drafted by other teams all the best in the future."
2008 Shamrock Schedule is Out
Victoria Shamrocks 2008 Schedule
FRIDAY, MAY 16 BURNABY AT VICTORIA 7:45
WEDNESDAY, MAY 21 VICTORIA AT LANGLEY 7:45
FRIDAY, MAY 23 MAPLE RIDGE AT VICTORIA 7:45
SUNDAY, MAY 25 VICTORIA AT MAPLE RIDGE 6:45
FRIDAY, JUNE 6 NEW WEST AT VICTORIA 7:45
SATURDAY, JUNE 7 VICTORIA AT COQUITLAM 7:45
FRIDAY, JUNE 13 VICTORIA AT BURNABY 7:45
FRIDAY, JUNE 20 LANGLEY AT VICTORIA 7:45
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25 VICTORIA AT LANGLEY 7:45
FRIDAY, JUNE 27 MAPLE RIDGE AT VICTORIA 7:45
WEDNESDAY, JULY 2 NANAIMO AT VICTORIA 7:45
FRIDAY, JULY 4 VICTORIA AT BURNABY 7:45
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9 NEW WEST AT VICTORIA 7:45
WEDNESDAY, JULY 16 COQUITLAM AT VICTORIA 7:45
SATURDAY, JULY 19 VICTORIA AT COQUITLAM 7:45
THURSDAY, JULY 24 VICTORIA AT NEW WEST 7:45
SATURDAY, JULY 26 VICTORIA AT NANAIMO 7:00
WEDNESDAY, JULY 30 NANAIMO AT VICTORIA 7:45
All home games are played at Bear Mountain Arena
Victoria Shamrocks Announce New President, Coach and General Manager
For the past several years the Victoria Shamrocks have been one of the most successful senior lacrosse organizations in Canada. The Western Lacrosse Association team has been led by a dedicated and experienced Board of Directors under the direction of long-time President Doug Jones. However, as time passed, succession planning became necessary due to an impending gap in leadership at the executive level.
"We've had great success and we need to re-energize the club to ensure our continuing success in the future," said Jones. "Our first task is to ensure that we have a strong leader and we are happy to have a new President who has a long-standing, great interest in lacrosse and who is willing to step up physically and financially to further the goals of the Shamrock organization."The Shamrocks are pleased to announce that local businessman and sports enthusiast Jim Hartshorne is the new President of the Victoria Shamrocks. Hartshorne was previously the President of the Victoria Cougars of the Western Hockey League as well as the Cowichan Valley Capitals of the British Columbia Hockey League. His first involvement with running a lacrosse team was in the 1980's with the Victoria Seasprays and he has been a committed fan and season ticket holder with the Shamrocks for several years.
"I look forward to working with the great story and tradition of the Victoria Shamrocks," said Hartshorne. "We'll continue bringing elite lacrosse players together as well as giving local players the opportunity to develop their skills to the highest level in their hometown." One of Hartshorne's goals is to enhance the support of the Westshore business community for the Shamrocks.
To help ensure a smooth transition to the new leadership, Jones will be remaining on the Board in a supporting role as Past President. "It's time for new and younger people to step to the fore and for some of the older people to stay on in supporting roles. That's what good organizations do," said Jones.
The Shamrocks are also pleased to announce the appointments of Art Webster as Head Coach and Chris Welch as General Manager.
Webster, a recent inductee into the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame, has served as the Shamrocks Assistant Coach for the past six years. The former Shamrock team captain won two Mann Cup championships as a player in 1979 and 1983, and he has won two more as an Assistant Coach in 2003 and 2005. "I'm deeply honoured to be the Head Coach of the Shamrocks," said Webster. "I'm looking forward to the challenge and building on the winning tradition of this team."
Welch is entering his fifth season on the team's Board of Directors. He was the Assistant General Manager in 2006 and has been the team's alternate Governor since 2005. "The Shamrocks are very fortunate to have the tremendous support of knowledgeable fans who are passionate about the game," Welch said, "and we're committed to giving them a competitive and entertaining team they can continue to be proud of."
Other changes to the club's Board of Directors include long-time Shamrock Directors Dave Ward returning to the executive as Secretary and Murray Rhode taking over the position of Assistant General Manager. Coming on board as a new Director is Westshore businessman Roger Wade who is the current President of the Victoria Rebels of the BC Junior Football League.
"We're confident that all of the moves we're making will keep the Shamrock organization strong going forward," said Jones.
Gift certificates for Shamrock season tickets are available in time for the holidays and include special early-bird prices. For more information, contact the Victoria Grizzlies office at 250-385-1555 or visit www.victoriashamrocks.ca.
2008 GIFT CERTIFICATES
AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE AT THE GRIZZLIES OFFICE.
2008 GIFT CERTIFICATES
Gift certificates for the 2008 Shamrocks season will be available for purchase at the Victoria Grizzlies office, in Bear Mountain Arena.
Dates available are:
Tues - Fri Dec.11th - Dec.14th 9am-1pm, 2-4pm
Tues - Fri Dec.18th - Dec.21th 9am-1pm, 2-4pm
Prices are:
Adults $ 135.00
Senior $ 99.00
Student $ 99.00 (ages 13-18 years)
Children $ 72.00 ( ages 4-12 years)
Please make CHQ's payable to: VICTORIA SHAMROCKS
Grizzlies office 250-385-1555
Victoria Shamrocks Announce Resignation of Walt Christianson
The Victoria Shamrocks announce that Walt Christianson has resigned as General Manager and Head Coach of the Western Lacrosse Association team.
"I can't coach 10 months of the year anymore," said Christianson who is the head coach of the San Jose Stealth of the National Lacrosse League. "I need to spend more time with my family, my wife and my two sons. I'm looking forward to coaching my son's pee wee team in Saanich, and taking the boys fishing and waterskiing this summer. It is time to give something back to my family for all their support and time spent alone while I was away. "Christianson has built an impressive legacy with the Shamrocks during the last three decades. For 21 of the last 28 years he has contributed to the team as a player, assistant coach, head coach and general manager. He is a four-time Mann Cup champion, having won two championships as a player in 1983 and 1999 and two more as head coach in 2003 and 2005. "Every time I have walked on the floor or into the dressing room, I have felt incredibly proud to be part of this great organization," said Christianson.
Since taking over as head coach in 2002, he led the Shamrocks to a remarkable five straight appearances in the Mann Cup championships. Under his direction, in 194 regular season, playoff and Mann Cup games, the Shamrocks racked up 137 wins, 55 losses and 2 ties, with a winning percentage of .706.
"I want to thank the fans, players, executive and volunteers for everything, all the support, respect, time and patience from everyone," said Christianson. "I will take with me tremendous memories, and more importantly lasting friendships."
Assistant General Manager Chris Welch will serve as Acting General Manager until further notice. Welch said, "Naturally we're very sorry to see Walt go, but we completely understand and respect his reasons. We've enjoyed great success with Walt, we're enormously grateful for his contributions and we wish him and his family all the very best."
The New WLA Commissioner
The Western Lacrosse Association held ther Annual Meeting on Saturday Nov 24th and Don Scott was elected WLA Commissioner. Don who was the Assistant Commissioner replaces Sohen Gill who now will assumes Don's position as Assistant Commissioner. This was a mutually agreed decision by Sohen, Don & the Board of Governor's of the WLA.
The Unthinkable
With the playoffs hanging on a thin mathematical calculation, the Shamrocks arrived at the Palace on Poirier. Not since 1987 has the WLA begun its playoffs without Victoria hosting at least a couple of games. Trot out all the clichés you want, there was no more wiggle room for the Rocks.
The green started well at 1:46 with Dan Dawson taking a pass from Curt Morwick to put the Rocks in the lead. The Adanacs replied quickly, at 2:26, with Brandon MacNeil finding twine. Victoria continued to press and was rewarded with a goal from Lewis Ratcliff just 19 seconds later. Callum Crawford was credited with the lone assist. The Rocks stretched the lead to two goals when Dawson bagged his second goal, from Nic Collison and Ratcliff at 4:48.But, a pair of goals from the Adanacs tied the game: Colin Doyle unassisted at 5:25, and; a power play goal from Curt Malawsky at 10:02, with helpers given to Peter Veltman and Doyle. Callum Crawford gave the Rocks a one goal lead again at 10:20, from Scott Dyrda. A minor penalty to each team preceded a double minor to each team with the Adanacs finding he only goal on a power play at 18:01, assisted by Andy Secore. However, at even strength the Rocks closed the first period scoring with the second goal from Crawford at 19:13, assisted by Morwick.
The first period ended with the Rocks holding a one goal lead, 5 to 4, although the Adanacs outshot the Rocks 19 to 14.
The Rocks started the second period by extending their lead to two goals. Crawford did the honours in fine fashion, scoring his hat trick goal both shorthanded and unassisted at 1:32. A couple of penalties and a scrap later, the Adanacs seemed to regroup and came out blazing through a six goal run. The A's got markers from: Bruce Murray at 7:58, unassisted; Jason Wulder from Daryl Veltman and Malawsky at 9:16; Andy Secore from Wulder at 9:56; Malawsky from Doyle at 11:25; Daryl Veltman from Peter Veltman and Malawsky at 12:15, and; Gary Bining from Malawsky and Jeff Pringle at 16:24.
The Rocks two-goal lead was now a four goal deficit. Before the period was done, Dawson set up Pat Cardiff at the crease, at 18:07, to pull Victoria within three goals. The score was 10 to 7 for the A's. Shots in the second period were close, 17 from the A's to 16 for Victoria.
The Adanacs opened the third period by stretching their lead to five goals. Malawsky got his hat trick at 1:20, assisted by Trent Smalley, and Secore got his second goal at 5:55, with help from Dan Stroup and Wulder. Dawson found the range for this hat trick at 6:20, from Crawford, to cut the A's lead to 4. The teams then battled hard for 7 minutes before the next goal. That goal, unfortunately, came from the stick of Steve McKinley at 13:42, unassisted. The five goal lead was back.
With the possible playoff berth drifting away, the Rocks pressed hard with Patterson heading to the bench on every possession. The extra man attack resulted in the fourth goal from Dawson, assisted by Jamie Roy and Patterson at 13:54, and the second goal from Ratcliff at 14:22, set up by Dawson. But, that was it for the scoring.
The A's took the game 13 to 10. Victoria had a one shot advantage in the final tally, 45 to 44.
The Rocks season closes with two games on Wednesday July 25th, and at Nanaimo on Saturday July 28th. Then, the planning begins for the 2008 season.
While 1987 was a bleak year, Victoria has had a great run. It will be odd for the Shamrock faithful to be following the semis and final series without the Rocks in the morning fish wrap. When the Mann Cup series begins, it will not be on Devil's Island. This writer will not have to beg for a bunk at No-Zed's fine hostelry for the duration of the best of seven national championship. For one year, the mainland fans will be able to drive to the Mann. For just one year.
Rocks Playoff Hopes Fade
The Victoria Shamrocks’ slim playoff hopes were all but ended Wednesday as they lost a 9-7 decision to the visiting Coquitlam Adanacs at Bear Mountain Arena. Mathematically now the Rocks must win all 3 of their remaining games, all on the road, while the fourth place Nanaimo Timbermen would have to lose their 3 remaining contests.
The Adanacs carried their momentum into the middle frame as they rattled off four straight goals, the first coming off the opening faceoff just 7 seconds into the period off the stick of Brad MacDonald. Secore notched his second on an over-the-shoulder shot at 4:37 and at 5:50 Jesse Phillips, with Coquitlam playing shorthanded, got behind his defensive coverage and beat Patterson. That was the end of the night for the Victoria goaltender as he was replaced between the pipes by rookie Aaron Bold. Doyle picked up his second goal of the game for Coquitlam, on the power play, at 9:20 and the visitors were up by a 7-1 margin. Bold settled right in after that and his teammates managed to get the Shamrocks a little closer, Lewis Ratcliff finally beating Eliuk at 11:59. Adanacs' leading scorer Jason Wulder got that one back at the 18:05 mark, breaking from the penalty box and getting in alone, and after 40 minutes the score was 8-2, enough to send many of the Shamrock fans home.
As has often been the case this season, the ‘Rocks put together a great effort for the final period; also as has been the case, it was too little too late. Dan Dawson scored for the home team at 1:46. He then got into some extra-curricular action, squaring off with the Adanacs' Steve McKinlay. This was as ‘dangerous' as Dawson got as he clearly had the upper hand, taking a unanimous decision as both combatants were sent to the penalty box for a 7-minute cooling off period. Nic Collison added a goal to the Victoria tally, finishing off a nice passing play. Coquitlam then got into a bit of penalty trouble and Jr. ‘A' Shamrock call-up Cory Conway made them pay with two goals, both howitzers, at 8:10 and 8:48. The home team was within a pair with over half a period to play. Unfortunately Secore took the wind out of the Victoria sails when he managed to squeeze a shot just inside the post at 9:41. Dawson added his second of the game for the Shamrocks at 16:11 but the home team was unable to muster anything else, even with the goaltender on the bench for the extra attacker as the 9-7 Coquitlam victory goes into the record books.
As noted, the Shamrocks almost need some divine intervention if they are to take part in post-season play this year. Failing that, it will mark the first time since 1987 they will be on the outside looking in. During those 20 years, they have been to the Mann Cup 8 of the last 10 seasons, winning the Canadian Championship in 1997, 1999, 2003 and 2005.
Lewis Ratcliff increased his league-leading point total by 6 as he picked up a goal and 5 assists to lead the Shamrocks in their final regular season home game. Jr. call-up Cory Conway and Dan Dawson, who was named the game's third star, each had a pair of goals with singles going to Pat Cardiff and Nic Collison. Aaron Bold was tagged with the loss despite stopping 16 of the 19 shots he faced after relieving Patterson 5:50 into the second period. Patterson had 10 saves on 16 shots.
For the Adanacs it was Andy Secore picking up first star honours and leading the way with 3 goals and 1 assist. Colin Doyle chipped in a pair while Steve McKinlay, Brad MacDonald, Jesse Phillips and Jason Wulder, who also had 2 helpers, each scored once. Dallas Eliuk was named second star of the game, kicking out 21 of the 27 shots he faced before yielding to Chris Levis for the last 11:12 of the game. Levis faced 10 shots and allowed just one goal.
Next action for the Shamrocks is a return engagement as they make the trip to Coquitlam Saturday, July 21 to face the Adanacs. They then match up against the Langley Thunder next Wednesday, July 25 and finish up the season in Nanaimo against the Timbermen on Saturday, July 28.
Aaaaaahhhh! Sweet Victory!
The Victoria Shamrocks have struggled at home this WLA season but Wednesday they managed to pull off a 10-7 victory at Bear Mountain over the second place Burnaby Lakers, giving players and fans cause to breathe a collective sigh of relief. The victory was only the second for the Shamrocks in what is usually a very difficult place for visiting teams to take two points and, with only one home game remaining and 5 on the road, keeps Victoria's playoff hopes alive.
Again in the middle frame, Burnaby opened the scoring with two goals that came as a direct result of Laker players outworking and outrunning their counterparts. Spencer Martin scored at 4:20 and less than a minute later, at 5:07 McDade collected his second of the contest as Victoria defenders seemed to quit on a loose ball battle. The Shamrocks fought back and Callum Crawford beat Palidwor at 7:57 to get within a goal. Ratcliff picked up his second of the game, taking advantage of a Burnaby turnover, at 17:23 and, with the scored tied again at 5, the teams retired for the intermission. Shots on goal were 17-17 in the middle period.
In the third period the Shamrocks came to life and rattled off 5 unanswered goals, the first one coming off the stick of Ratcliff just 29 seconds in. After a great penalty kill by the home team, especially some tenacity on the parts of Jon Sullivan and Callum Crawford, Ratcliff struck for two more. He scored at 7:28 and again at 10:02 with a bullet of a shot and suddenly the Rocks were up by three. Big Buck Stobart gathered up a loose ball and, like a runaway train went coast to coast and beat Palidwor for an unassisted goal at 11:42. Ratcliff collected his sixth goal of the game, cashing in on his own rebound at 13:55 and it looked like Victoria was in control with a 10-5 lead. The Lakers started pulling goaltender Palidwor for an extra attacker and that, along with some generous giveaways by Victoria, resulted in the Lakers adding two goals to their total as Sedgewick and Martin each scored their second of the game. Unfortunately for Burnaby time ran out and the Shamrocks put their fourth victory into the books. The Lakers outshot Victoria 23-12 in the third period as Aaron Bold was outstanding in goal, until he limped off the floor with 27 seconds remaining.
League leading scorer Lewis Ratcliff added 7 points to his total on 6 goals and 1 assist for the Shamrocks. Dan Dawson and Lucas MacNeil each had a goal and 2 helpers with Callum Crawford and Buck Stobart scoring the other Victoria goals. Aaron Bold kicked aside 48 of the 55 shots he faced as the Shamrocks swept the three star honours - Lewis Ratcliff, Aaron Bold and Jon Sullivan named 1-2-3 respectively.
For the Lakers Rory McDade, Spencer Martin and Cam Sedgewick each scored twice with Martin also contributing 2 helpers. Kevin Hanson scored the other Burnaby goal.
In other WLA action Wednesday, the third place Coquitlam Adanacs handed the Langley Thunder a 14-12 overtime loss. Both these results help Victoria's playoff hopes as they vault over the idle Maple Ridge Burrards into 6th place with 9 points, 1 point behind the Thunder and holding two games in hand. It also leaves the Shamrocks just 3 points out of the final playoff spot, currently held by Nanaimo who will be in New Westminster Thursday to take on the league-leading Salmonbellies.
Next action for the Shamrocks is in Maple Ridge Sunday and then a return to Bear Mountain for their final regular season home game next Wednesday, July 18 when the Coquitlam Adanacs will be in town. Game time Wednesday is 7:45 p.m.
Shamrock Woes Continue at Home
At the halfway point in the season, the Victoria Shamrocks sit in 6th place in the WLA standings and, with just one victory to date at Bear Mountain Arena, must look at every game as a must-win to ensure a playoff appearance. Unfortunately Tuesday the Rocks managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, giving up 4 consecutive goals including two in overtime and losing 13-11 to the second place Burnaby Lakers.
The starting goaltenders were Curtis Palidwor for the Lakers and Nick Patterson for the Shamrocks, the latter having a very inauspicious beginning as Burnaby scored on their first two shots on goal, Kevin Olson striking at the 57-second mark with a hard low shot and Cam Sedgewick finding twine at 2:27. Mark Scherman had the visitors up 3-0 at the 6:45 point, quieting the smaller than usual crowd temporarily.Dan Dawson managed to infuse some energy into the Shamrock faithful scoring on a bullet at 11:06 after which there were 3 goals scored in 50 seconds. Rory McDade restored the 3-goal Laker lead at 12:09 but the Shamrocks rattled off two quick ones, Callum Crawford scoring at 12:39 just 10 seconds into a power play and Graeme Ross added a goal at 12:59 to bring the home team within one. Sedgewick collected his second of the game at 19:29 beating Patterson high over the shoulder as Burnaby outshot the Shamrocks 17-14 and were full value for their 5-3 lead after the first period.
Lewis Ratcliff got Victoria rolling early in the second, scoring at 1:50 but a power play marker by McDade at 4:22 had the Lakers again ahead by a pair. With John Panichelli taking a double minor for back-checking at
4:57 the Shamrocks made quick work of their power play opportunity, Ratcliff scoring twice with markers at 5:13 and 5:37. They kept the momentum going with Dawson adding his second at 7:52 and Ratcliff picking up his third and fourth at 10:54 and 11:18 respectively, completing a 5-goal run for the Irish and establishing a 9-6 lead. It didn't last long, however, as Kevin Hanson managed to sneak one by Patterson at 11:54 and the second period finished with the Shamrocks up 9-7. Shots on goal in the middle frame again favoured the Lakers by a
19-15 margin.
It looked like the Shamrocks might take control when Callum Crawford opened the third period with a goal at 2:32, but the Lakers quickly extinguished that flame of hope scoring two quick goals at 4:12 and 4:47 off the sticks of Hanson and Spencer Martin. Dawson's third goal of the contest at 11:55 re-established a 2-goal lead but the Lakers never quit.
Olson notched his second goal at 14:21 and with things going down to the wire, Burnaby pulled their goaltender for an extra attacker. The move paid off as Sedgewick scored his third goal of the game at 19:38 to send the game into overtime tied at 11.
The visitors put the game on ice scoring twice in the extra period, Sedgewick with his fourth and McDade with his third scoring at 6:12 and 9:13. The Lakers are a young, fast team and used that advantage to consistently beat Victoria's defense which is young, big and . . . . .
well. . . . slow.
The Lakers got 4 goals and 3 assists from Cam Sedgewick to earn him second star honours. Kevin Olson chipped in a pair of goals and 6 assists and was named third star of the game while Rory McDade had 3 goals and two assists. Kevin Hanson had a pair of goals with singles coming from Mark Scherman and Spencer Martin. Curtis Palidwor kicked out 35 of the 46 shots he faced to earn the victory.
For the Shamrocks it was Lewis Ratcliff racking up 5 goals and 2 helpers and Dan Dawson, the game's first star, notching 3 goals and 4 assists.
Callum Crawford added a pair of goals with the other going to Graeme Ross. Noah Talbot and Pat Cardiff contributed 2 and 3 assists respectively while Nick Patterson faced 61 shots in the Victoria goal.
The Shamrocks sit in sixth spot in the 7-team WLA standings, just one point ahead of the cellar-dwelling Maple Ridge Burrards and one point behind the 5th place Langley Thunder. Fourth place is not out of reach, the Nanaimo Timbermen currently occupying the last playoff spot with 10 points, just 3 ahead of the Shamrocks. The 'Rocks won't get much rest as they travel to Queen's Park Arena for a date with the league-leading
9-1 New Westminster Salmonbellies Thursday. Their next home game is Wednesday, July 11 when the Burnaby Lakers will once again be the opposition. Game time at Bear Mountain Wednesday is 7:45 p.m.
Janice Huckin
Shamrocks Make a Trade
The Victoria Shamrocks Trade the playing rights of Dwight Maetche to the maple ridge for a 4th and 5th round draft picks in the 2008 WLA Entry Draft
Thunder Have Shamrocks’ Number
The Langley Thunder rolled into Bear Mountain Arena Friday to face the Victoria Shamrocks. The visitors climbed over the Rocks in the standings by outscoring them 10-2 over the final two periods and taking a 16-10 victory.
The Thunder had things tied up by 2:49 of the middle frame, prompting the Shamrocks to make a goaltending change, Aaron Bold taking over between the pipes. He didn't fare much better as Johnson scored his third goal of the game at 5:22 giving Langley their first lead of the game. Victoria captain Chris McKay scored a power play marker 5 seconds later but 20 seconds later Jared Wheatley's second of the period had Langley up 10-9. Less than a minute later Ratcliff's third tied the score once again but after that it was lights out for the Shamrocks in the face of a Thunder storm. Kyle McEwen, Jeff Sauve and Justin Norbraten gave the visitors a 13-10 lead heading into the dressing room after 2 periods.
Patterson returned to the Victoria net to begin period 3, a period in which Langley scored the only 3 goals. Victoria shooters were ineffective at best and Langley's speed had Shamrock defenders flat-footed much of the time. The salt in the Shamrocks' wound came when Victoria, trying to get Patterson back into the net, were called for too many players resulting in a goal being credited to Thunder goalie Croswell at 18:46. Many fans left early, after witnessing one of the least impressive performances from the Shamrocks in quite some time.
As head coach Walt Christianson has said numerous times this week, there are no excuses. Goaltending has been a problem so far this season - very inconsistent and not what was expected when the trade for Nick Patterson was made. Simply put, however, Friday the Shamrocks underperformed in virtually every aspect of the game. That has them sitting in sole possession of the WLA cellar one point behind the Thunder.
Lewis Ratcliff finished the game with 3 goals and 4 assists for the Shamrocks. Callum Crawford had 2 goals and 3 assists while Pat Cardiff also had a pair of goals. Dan Dawson scored once, added 2 helpers and also expressed his frustration by getting into a fight with Langley's Steve Hay. Chris McKay and Curt Morwick picked up the other two Victoria goals.
For the victorious Langley squad 3 players had six points. Tom Johnson, the game's first star, scored 4 times and added 2 assists; Justin Norbraten and Rob Vanbeek each had 3 goals and 3 helpers. Jared Wheatley contributed 2 goals and 3 assists with singles coming from Chris Manwaring Jeff Sauve, Kyle McEwen and second star, goaltender Kevin Croswell.
The Shamrocks are on the road Sunday against their island rivals, the Nanaimo Timbermen. It is the second meeting of the season between the two teams, Nanaimo taking an 11-8 victory earlier this season at Bear Mountain. The Rocks return home Wednesday, May 27 when the visitors will be the first place New Westminster Salmonbellies. Game time at Bear Mountain Wednesday is 7:45 p.m.
Shamrocks and Adanacs Solve Nothing
The Victoria Shamrocks got back into action Wednesday night at Bear Mountain after an 11-day layoff. The visitors were their archrivals, the Coquitlam Adanacs, but after 70 minutes of play, nothing was solved as the teams battled to an 8-8 overtime tie.
The ‘Rocks did not have a game last week due to travel problems for the Burnaby Lakers so their last game action was on June 1 against Maple Ridge. The home fans got to see goaltender Aaron Bold for the first time this season as he got the start in goal for Victoria. Veteran Dallas Eliuk was between the pipes for the visitors.
Bold got into a groove early making a number of saves. An early power play for the Shamrocks yielded very little in the way of scoring opportunities at the other end. The home team did hit the score sheet first, Callum Crawford beating Eliuk at 11:03 as he gathered in a pass from captain Chris McKay on a two-on-one. Crawford netted his second of the contest on a high hard shot at 17:26 on a power play, Lewis Ratcliff picking up the assist. Unfortunately for Crawford and the ‘Rocks some extracurricular action followed the goal, resulting in his being expelled from the game with a major for fighting and a game misconduct. Along with Crawford, Victoria's George Westwood also received the same penalties as well as Coquitlam's Colin Doyle and Trent Smalley. A bench penalty to Victoria in the same altercation gave Coquitlam a power play opportunity on which they came up empty. The Shamrocks extended their lead to 3-0 on a Nic Collison goal, scored shorthanded at 18:28 and that was the lead the home team took to the dressing room after 20 minutes. Shots on goal were in favour of the Adanacs by a 17-12 margin.
A power play goal by Peter Veltman got the Adanacs onto the shore sheet at the 32-second mark of the middle frame. Special teams played a significant role as the teams traded goals just past the midway point. Victoria's Pat Cardiff scored the second shorthanded goal of the game at 10:19 but just 12 seconds later, the Adanacs made good on the power play when Tim Campeau picked a corner after a couple of fakes on Bold. There was a brief flurry of goals at even strength as Curt Malawsky found a space on the short side and beat Bold at 12:43. Exactly a minute later Victoria team captain Chris McKay scored one of his infrequent goals but Malawsky notched his second a half minute later. Coquitlam had again outshot Victoria, this time 17-15 but now they had something to show for it as they had also outscored them by a 4-2 margin and found themselves only down by a goal, 5-4 after two periods of play.
Less than a minute into the final period, Nic Collison scored his second goal of the game to regain the two-goal lead for the ‘Rocks. The Adanacs seemed to catch fire as they rattled off the next 4 goals, one of them shorthanded and one on the power play and all of a sudden the visitors had an 8-6 lead after the first 7:40 of the period. Victoria's Cardiff, with a delayed penalty call being signaled against the Adanacs, scored at 8:09. Curt Morwick, who had gotten a few sniffs around the net earlier, buried one at 10:40 and the game was tied. The next 9:20 yielded nothing for either squad. Offensively the Shamrocks could not seem to get any room to make quality shots, no doubt missing both Crawford and scoring star Dan Dawson who was unavailable. With the score tied after 60 minutes, the teams took a 2-minute break and headed into a 10-minute overtime period.
Coquitlam had the better chances in the extra period as the Shamrocks suffered from poor passes and very few shots. The Adanacs outshot Victoria 5-2 in overtime but Bold was outstanding, at one point stoning Andrew McBride on a breakaway.
Callum Crawford, Pat Cardiff and Nic Collison each finished the game with a pair of goals for Victoria. Singles came from Chris McKay and Curt Morwick. Lucas MacNeil and Lewis Ratcliff finished with 4 and 5 assists respectively. McKay picked up third star honours while Aaron Bold was named the game's first game star kicking out 42 of the 50 shots he faced. The result would most certainly have been different without his stellar play.
For the Adanacs it was wily veteran Curt Malawsky, the game's second star, leading the way with 3 goals. Kris Bryde, Taylor Wray, Peter Veltman, Jason Wulder and Tim Campeau who also had 3 helpers, each scored once. Dallas Eliuk was solid in goal making 31 saves.
The result has Coquitlam in third place with a 3-2-1 record and 7 points while Victoria is 2 points behind in fourth place with a 2-3-1 record. Next action for the Shamrocks is Friday in Burnaby as they face the 4-2 Lakers. They return home to Bear Mountain next Friday, June 22 at 7:45 p.m. when the visitors will be the Langley Thunder. Fans can enjoy a tailgate party, starting at 5:00 p.m., prior to that game. There will be a ‘beverage garden', face painting, entertainment, barbecue, and a chance to meet the Shamrock players. Proceeds will assist the Intermediate ‘A' Shamrocks in their bid for another Provincial Championship.
by Janice Huckin
Shamrocks Sign Jeff Summerfield
The Victoria Shamrocks have added a defender to the roster who is big, strong and tough, plays with grit and determination, is a great team player, has a good mind for the game and a winner's attitude.
The newest Shamrock is Jeff Summerfield whose playing rights were recently acquired from the Ajax Pickering Rock of the Ontario Lacrosse Association Senior B League. Summerfield had begun his second season with the Rock when the opportunity arose to come west. He had a very impressive debut in a Shamrock uniform on June 13 at home against the Coquitlam Adanacs.
When asked what attracted him to Victoria, Summerfield said, "The opportunity to win a Mann Cup and to further my personal lacrosse career. Also, the history of this team, the beautiful community and the opportunity to see and experience another part of Canada."
Earlier this year Summerfield quit his job with the Royal Bank to play for Team England at the 2007 World Indoor Lacrosse Championship where he was teammates with Lewis Ratcliff and was coached by Chris Hall.
In 2004 he won the outstanding defensive player award in the OLA Junior A series.
Nickname: Summy
Height: 6' 3"
Weight: 225 lbs.
Shoots: Right
Born: October 27, 1983 in Scarborough, Ontario
Minor lacrosse: Scarborough Saints
Junior A: Brampton Excelsiors
Most influential person in his lacrosse development: His brother Shawn Summerfield
Biggest thrill so far in lacrosse: Playing in the World Indoor Championship with Team England in 2007
Funniest thing he ever saw in a lacrosse game: "Me playing in net for part of a game for the Brampton Major Excelsiors."
Favourite lacrosse player of all-time: Cam Woods
How he describes himself as a lacrosse player: Big, strong stay-at-home defenseman
Superstitions: Procedure for putting on equipment
Game-day ritual: Cold cut trio sub
Best advice he ever received: Stay confident and play through adversity
Most treasured possession: My heart
If he could have dinner with any person in history: Kurt Cobain or Terry Bradshaw
Favourite meal: Barbecue steak and baked potato
Cooking specialty: Barbecue
Favourite TV show: Fox NFL Sunday
Favourite movie: Old School
Favourite actor: Vince Vaughn
Favourite actress: Jessica Alba
Best concert he's ever seen: The Trews in Toronto
In his CD player right now: Nine Inch Nails, Year Zero
Real job: Roofer
Favourite sport other than lacrosse: Hockey
Favourite team (non-lacrosse): Pittsburgh Steelers
Favourite athlete (non-lacrosse): LeBron James
Advice for young lacrosse players: Never give up and play from your heart.
Postponed Game Rescheduled
The Western Lacrosse Association game between the Victoria Shamrocks and the Burnaby Lakers originally scheduled for June 6th has been rescheduled for Tuesday, July 3rd at Bear Mountain Arena with a start time of 7:45 pm.
Tickets for all Shamrock home games are available from the Victoria Grizzlies box office at Bear Mountain Arena, telephone 250-385-1555.
Shamrocks Rock Burrards
The Victoria Shamrocks broke into the home floor win column Friday with a 17-13 victory over the visiting Maple Ridge Burrards.
The Rocks have struggled early but with a couple of full roster practices under their belt, the home fans saw a much different team than in their first two outings at Bear Mountain Arena.
The turning point in the game may have come early in the middle frame when the Shamrocks, playing shorthanded scored two goals in a mere 6 seconds. At 5:30 Chris McKay took off down the floor, fed the ball to Ratcliff, took the return pass and made no mistake. Off the ensuing faceoff, Jordan Sundher took the ball cleanly and scored unassisted at 5:36. The 3-goal difference held up through the period as the teams traded goals the rest of the way. In the midst of the scoring action the return of Chris ‘No Fear' Kinnear was noted as he tangled with the Burrards' Mark Phillips, taking a unanimous decision but also receiving a match penalty for his trouble. The score after 2 periods was Victoria 11 and Maple Ridge 8.
In period 3 the goals continued to mount up, the Dawson-Ratcliff-Crawford connection paving the way for Victoria. The Shamrocks were up 17-10 at one point but the Burrards battled back with the final 3 goals of the game to make the score respectable. Maple Ridge fired 29 shots at Victoria goaltender Patterson in the third period but he came up with some big saves.
Dan Dawson, (3g, 5a), Lewis Ratcliff (3g, 5a) and Callum Crawford (4g, 4a) each contributed 8 points to the Shamrocks' victory, sweeping the 3 star awards. Noah Talbot contributed a pair while Jamie Roy, Pat Cardiff, Curt Morwick, Chris McKay and Jordan Sundher added singles. Nick Patterson kicked out 47 of the 60 shots he faced.
For the Burrards it was Derek Lowe leading the way with 4 goals and 3 helpers. Randy Daly and Greg Hinman each chipped in 2 goals and 2 assists with Justin Hawksbee, Athen Yuen, Shawn Cable, Trent Smalley and Brenan Day each scoring once.
The Burnaby Lakers were to be the visitors next Wednesday but travel difficulties have made it necessary to re-schedule that game. The next home game for the Shamrocks will be Wednesday, June 13 when the Coquitlam Adanacs roll into Bear Mountain Arena for a 7:45 p.m. faceoff.
Shamrocks Still Winless at Home
by Janice Huckin
I can’t recall the last time the Victoria Shamrocks lost 3 consecutive times, let alone 2 of those on their home floor. Friday night at Bear Mountain the Langley Thunder rolled in and, in handing the Irish their second loss at home by an 11-8 margin, got their first victory of the season.
The second period was literally a Thunder storm as they rattled off 5 unanswered goals, 2 of those with the man advantage. After the sixth goal the Shamrocks tried to change the momentum by inserting Aaron Bold in goal. Unfortunately he suffered almost the same fate as his teammate when Langley's Jared Wheatley scored the second of his three consecutive goals on just the second shot taken on the rookie. Ratcliff managed to fend off a second period goose egg by notching a goal at 19:19. After 40 minutes the score was Langley 8, Victoria 3.
Shamrock fans are so spoiled by having witnessed such great success over the years. Just when they were scratching their heads and wondering - who are you and what have you done with the Shamrocks, the Rocks arrived in time for the third period. In a reversal of the middle frame, Victoria found the net for 5 straight goals, tying the score 8-8 at the 15:05 mark. Leading the attack, in his first home game of the season, was Dangerous Dan Dawson who figured in all 5 goals, scoring twice and assisting on the others. I'm sure the idea of a second overtime game for the Shamrocks within 24 hours flashed through some minds. None of those minds belonged to the Langley Thunder, however, as they rallied to re-gain the lead just 34 seconds after the tying goal. Off the ensuing faceoff at 15:47 Johnson scored his second for the Thunder and Rob Vanbeek scored an empty-netter at 18:40 to close the book on the Shamrocks.
Jared Wheatley and Rob Vanbeek each scored hat tricks for the Thunder while Bryan Brown and Tom Johnson, who also added 3 assists, notched a pair. Jeff Sauve had the other Langley goal. Nick Schroeder stopped 37 of the 45 shots he faced to record the victory. Johnson and Wheatley were named the game's second and third stars respectively.
For the Shamrocks Dan Dawson led all point-getters with 7 points on 2 goals and 5 helpers to be named first star of the contest. Lewis Ratcliff chipped in 3 goals and 2 assists while Curt Morwick, Lucas MacNeil and Callum Crawford added singles.
In other Friday action Burnaby remained undefeated handing the Coquitlam Adanacs a 13-10 loss. The standings now shape up as follows: Burnaby leads the league with a 4-0 record. New Westminster sits second at 2-2 followed by Nanaimo, Maple Ridge, Victoria and Langley who each have 1 victory and Coquitlam rests in the basement with a 0-1 record.
There is little doubt that the complete re-vamping of the Shamrock line-up is contributing to early season unfamiliarity. That, coupled with a late overtime game and travel the previous evening played a part in this result. Those factors should be less prevalent as the team will get a couple of practices under their belt before they hit the floor again.
Next action for the Shamrocks is Friday June 1 when the Maple Ridge Burrards come to town. Game time at Bear Mountain Arena is 7:45 p.m.
No Cigar…
The Shamrocks team is still coming together but the league schedule is a little ahead of the final product. Lewis Ratcliff and Dan Dawson arrived in Vancouver on game day, from their duties with the English and Canadian national teams at the Box World Championship. Ratcliff lead the England team to a fourth place finish, while Dawson had bragging rights with the Canadian team winning the Championship. Both players were on the mainland waiting for the green machine to arrive.
Before the game, Bellies GM Dan Richardson thought that this game would provide a good indication of where the Bellies new lineup fit into the league, and how far the Fish had come in a few short years. Dan has been patient. Victoria, while gaining the skill and experience of Ratcliff and Dawson for the game, remain a bit of a question mark having lost to their Island Rivals last Friday at Bear Mountain after opening with a win on the road in Maple Ridge.
The game started quickly with the Bellies' Iannucci scoring just 43 seconds into the game. Less than a minute later, the score might have been two zip, but Aaron Bold showed his skill when facing an unchecked Floris shooting from the the edge of the crease. At 2:49, the Rocks found knotted the game when Dawson moved around a great pick to beat Disher in the Bellies net. Pat Cardiff and Ratcliff assisted.
The play continued to be fast, moving up and down the floor. Bold made a second great stop off of Conn, before Hawksbee ran the floor with two checkers and crashed into the Victoria netminder after missing his shot. Bold was favouring his right leg, but continued and continued with his brilliant play after receiving some attention from the training staff.
At 7:08, Victoria was assessed a slashing penalty and Iannucci cashed in on the PP with a laser shot over Bold's right shoulder. That goal was at 8:59, and was assisted by Conn and Gill. New West scored again at 10:03, when Gill set up Conn's first of the game. Victoria drew within a single goal at 15:10 after an extraordinary display of possession skill by Chris McKay. McKay literally fought through three Bellies, taking a beating in the process, before emerging with the ball in the Bellies end. McKay found Noah Talbot who fed Curt Morwick for the marker. The goal was scored on a delayed penalty call as the Bellies had come out the back door too soon.
Conn restored the Bellies two goal lead at 15:25, before Brandon Gillis found the range for two goals to tie: at 16:44 from McKay and Dawson, and; at 18:40 from Ted Jenner and Dawson. The period ended with the teams tied at 4, with New West outshooting Victoria 22 to 17. New West lost possession five times in the period with sloppy play leading to back over calls.
The first goal of the second period was scored at 3:17, with a full Hawksbee foot in the crease undetected by the rookie ref. Gill tallied at 4:40, and the Bellies had found some breathing space one again. Victoria slowed the Fish at 8:11 with a pretty goal from Bold to Jenner to Ratcliff for his first of the night. But that slowdown was brief, as the Bellies scored two more: the hat trick from Iannucci at 11:46, and; Conn with his hat trick shorthanded at 14:11. On the same power play, Morwick got his second from Pat Cardiff and Callum Crawford at 14:32. At this point the score was 8 to 6 for the hosts.
The Bellies finished the second period strongly, scoring twice: at 17:10 with Conn's fourth of the game, and; at 18:10 with speedy Cory Melville bagging a breakaway goal. That ended the scoring in the second, and the teams went to the room with the Bellies holding a four goal advantage - 10 to 6. New West outshot Victoria by a staggering 23 to 8. the in balance in shots was due in large part to the Bellies strategy of pressing the ball with one or two players in the Victoria end, and that strategy repeatedly lead to the Fish winning the ball on turnovers. Victoria did not seem to have a response to the full floor press.
Early in the third period, Victoria tightened up defensively and grabbed a pair of goals: the second from Dawson, assisted by Crawford at 2:11, and; the second from Ratcliff at 3:54, with helpers going to Crawford and Morwick. The teams then played end to end ball with Victoria taking the play to the Bellies, leading to a couple of penalties to the Fish. On a power play at 15:09, Crawford got his first, from Dawson, to pull the Rocks within a goal. Conn's fifth goal at 16:14 stopped the Victoria rally and restored a two goal lead.
But, the Rocks kept coming with Crawford getting his second on a power play at 17:10, from Cardiff and Ratcliff. With the game back to a single goal, Victoria took a timeout at 18:26, to regroup. When play resumed, Conn took an ill advised penalty at 19:40, and the Rocks made the Bellies pay when Jenner found the range for his second goal, unassisted, at 19:56. The game was tied and we were off to overtime. In the third period Victoria outshot New West 22 to 12.
Victoria did not waste anytime in the extra frame. Ratcliff set up Jenner at 29 seconds and the Rocks had their first led of the game. At 2:41, Dawson got his hat trick at a power play, set up by Morwick. Dawson took the ball down the left side of the floor, around the net to his natural right side, and beat Disher from distance.
Victoria killed off a penalty called at 3:02, before the Bellies started to get untracked scoring at 7:30 and 8:42. The second goal came with Disher out and seemed to catch Bold waiting for the Bellies to get set up on offence. This new look Bellies team kept up the pressure and were rewarded for their effort when Iannucci worked to the crease with a height mismatch, and put a couple of moves on Bold before putting the Bellies ahead for good.
The Bellies faithful went home happy, cheering a hard fought 14 to 13 victory. With the overtime, the shots on goal total were 67 to 54 in favour of the Fish.
The three stars were: 1st, Conn (5 and 4); Iannucci (5 and 1), and; Dawson (3 and 3). Honourable mentions for the Rocks: Lewis Ratcliff and Callum Crawford with 2 goals and 3 assists each. And Ted Jenner and Curt Morwick each with 2 goals and 2 helpers. Brandon Gillis had a pair of goals.
Next up for the Shamrocks are the Langley Thunder tonight, May 25th, at Bear Mountain. Game time is 7:45.
Jamie Roy Now a Shamrock
The defending Western Lacrosse Association champions Victoria Shamrocks are pleased to announce the acquisition of another island player. Jamie Roy who grew up in Nanaimo will be joining the shamrocks tomorrow in Queens park. Jamie spent his winter playing for Edmonton Rush of the NLL. Game time in New West is 7:45.
Timbermen Spoil Shamrocks Home Opener
The Victoria Shamrocks opened their home season Friday at Bear Mountain Arena. The Rocks don’t lose a lot of home games but the visiting Nanaimo Timbermen spoiled their party, handing them an 11-8 loss.
The Shamrocks opened scoring when Curt Morwick converted passes from Teddy Jenner and Lucas MacNeil at 2:47. Nanaimo got that one back 14 seconds later, then put two more on the board at 6:21 and 7:04, Chad Evans and Mike Morrison giving them a lead they never relinquished. Pat Cardiff got the home team within a goal with a hard shot late in the 30-second clock at 11:21. Again the visitors replied quickly as Scott Ranger found a corner at 12:57 and Kaleb Toth beat Patterson at 13:45. Nanaimo was using the fast break to its benefit and getting in behind the Victoria defense with great regularity. Cardiff got his second goal of the contest at 18:31 shovelling the ball behind King and sending the teams to the dressing room after 20 minutes with the T'Men up by a 5-3 margin.
The teams exchanged goals in the middle frame, three of those coming in the first 5:17. Teddy Jenner's goal at 3:36 with 1 second on the shot clock was sandwiched beween goals by Nanaimo's Matt Taylor and Mike Morrison. The next 10 minutes saw both teams going end to end with the respective goaltenders putting on a show. Junior Shamrock call-up Cory Conway closed the gap to 2 once again at 14:34 beating King on a bounce shot through traffic. The visitors maintained their two goal lead through 2 periods 7-5.
Early in the third saw another flurry of goals, 5 being scored in the first 6:33. Immediately after an early Victoria penalty kill, Conway notched his second of the game. Toth replied quickly with his second, unassisted and a little against the flow of the game. Less than 2 minutes later Brandon Gillis narrowed the gap to 1, cutting across the front of the crease to beat King. Ranger with his second scored probably the prettiest goal of the game as he put about 5 fakes on Patterson then dumped the ball in. At 6:33 Conway connected on a high hard shot to get his hat trick and the fans sensed the home team gaining some momentum. Wet floor syndrome then set in resulting in numerous trips to wipe the floor and taking away most of the flow from the game. The teams played almost 10 minutes before the next goal was scored, Ranger putting his hat trick goal into the books. Nanaimo put the icing on the victory when Matt King hit a streaking Shane Chalker who made no mistake at 19:34.
Scott Ranger led the Nanaimo attack with 3 goals and 1 assist. Kaleb Toth, who was named the game's third star, and Mike Morrison each chipped in 2 goals and 1 helper with single goals going to Chad Evans, Shane Chalker, Matt Taylor and Casey Guerin. Matt King kicked out 42 of the 50 shots he faced and contributed 2 assists to take first star honours.
For the Shamrocks Jr. call-up Cory Conway scored three times and was named second star. Pat Cardiff added a pair of goals and 1 assist. Teddy Jenner, Brandon Gillis and Curt Morwick each scored once while adding 3, 2 and 4 assists respectively.
The result evens Victoria's record at 1-1 while Nanaimo is 1-0 and will play their home opener Saturday against the Burnaby Lakers. Next action for the Shamrocks is Thursday at Queen's Park against the New Westminster Salmonbellies. They return home Friday, May 25 when the visitors will be the Langley Thunder. Game time Friday at Bear Mountain is 7:45 p.m.
Janice Huckin
e-mail: jmhuckin@telus.net
Rocks Down Burrards - Game One in the Books
by Frank Greenlay
The Victoria Shamrocks traveled to Maple Ridge to face off against the Burrards on Sunday night. As it is early days in the WLA, the Victoria fans had a few questions, with a revamped Shamrock line-up, and a few jerseys with the name bar taped over. Fans of the green were wondering about the roster this season, and might breathe a little easier watching a solid core of native Victoria talent and support newcomer Callum Crawford in his first game as a Shamrock.
Family, work and geography have required a re-working of the Shamrock lineup and, if the lacrosse online fora are to be believed, the Rocks are in trouble in a rebuilding year. That the team is rebuilding is undoubtedly true, but the common negative connotation of the term may not apply to the 2007 season. It is a long way from the top of the table at this point, but there are encouraging signs that the green will provide great entertainment as the season develops.
For a start, the Senior Rocks will feature several well-known and highly skilled graduates from the Junior Rocks franchise, in addition to the homegrown talent already wearing green. Aaron Bold was drafted first and, along with Victoria native Nick Patterson picked up through a trade, makes the Victoria backstop pair as solid as, perhaps better than, any team at the senior A level.
The Victoria roster also features junior graduates Scott Dyrda, Josh Van Wieren, Joel Cosman, Nic Collison and George Westwood. Curt Morwick was retrieved through a trade with Langley after the Thunder drafted the talented left-hander. This new batch bleeds green along with the former junior Shamrock roster players already at the Senior level. And, while the departure of a leader of the stature of a Darcy Berthiaume might leave a hole in most rosters, the Shamrocks have the heart of Chris McKay.
It is this core of home-developed talent that makes the integration of newcomers a lot easier. It is an atmosphere that spawned and nurtured Lewis Ratcliff, and made welcome Dan Dawson. This is the team that arrived in Maple Ridge last night, with Callum Crawford making his Shamrock debut.
Maple Ridge did not provide a warm welcome. Past WLA MVP Kyle Goundrey beat former Burrard Nick Patterson in the Victoria net just 36 seconds into the match. But that goal set off a three-goal run by the boys in green: Curt Morwick on a power play at 2:25 from Callum Crawford and Lucas MacNeil; MacNeil at 4:51 from Pat Cardiff and Crawford, and; Crawford with his first of the night at 5:53, assisted by Rob Brommer and Noah Talbot. The Shamrocks held a 3 to 1 lead.
The last goal of the first period went to the home side, with Anthio Yuen setting up Brenan Day at 10:51. The first period ended with the Rocks holding a slim one-goal lead. There was little to pick between the teams as the shots on goal were even at 14. The Burrards sat out 4 minor penalties, to three for the Shamrocks.
Victoria added two goals to their lead to start the second frame: at 1:14 MacNeil bagged his second from Aaron Vanderhorst, and; at 2:12, Justin Thomas scored from Crawford and Morwick. But the Burrards would not lie down, getting that pair back on markers from Jayme Bryde at 7:29, assisted by Peter Tellis and Goundrey, and Jeff Pringle from goalie Alex Coutts at 8:17. It was a one goal game again.
Victoria regained a two-goal lead when Crawford converted the work of Nic Collison and Cardiff at 10:01. The see-saw continued as the Burrards' Bryde got his second goal, short-handed, at 19:09, with help from Trent Smalley and Tellis. The Burrards might have thought they would get to the room with a one-goal deficit again, but the Shamrocks set up a last possession and were rewarded on the same power play when Crawford netted his hat trick goal at 19:31, from Morwick and Collison.
The second period ended with the Shamrocks leading by two - 7 to 5. The shots on goal were again even, this time at 17. The men in black had little to do, whistling a single minor to each team.
The teams played tight to start the third period, before Morwick found the room to score his second of the game at 4:04, assisted by Crawford and Cardiff. The three goal lead was short-lived, however, as the Burrards kept coming and found the range for pair of goals in less than a minute: at 7:52 Coutts set up Brenan Day, and; at 8:27, Bryde got his hat trick from Tellis and Smalley. Once more, a single goal separated the teams.
Penalties were a feature of the rest of the game, as the teams traded four goals. Crawford got his fourth goal of the game at 12:33, short-handed. Westwood was credited with the assist during the penalty to Josh Van Wieren. The Burrards did capitalize on the Van Wieren penalty, less than a minute later. Goundrey and Derek Lowe set up Smalley at 12:53, getting the Burrards within a single marker again. The pace and play was somewhat erratic for the next five minutes before the Rocks found a way to notch an insurance goal at 17:27, with Talbot setting up Cardiff. That insurance goal was needed as Bryde scored his fourth goal of the game at 18:31, setting up frantic finish that left the Burrards frustrated when the buzzer sounded to end the game.
That frustration boiled over with Nick Patterson being run by a couple of former teammates at the end of the game. Several Burrards attempted to start fights after the final whistle but the Rocks were not biting, preferring to take the two points without further unnecessary activity. The score sheet indicates that the referees did not find anything to penalize for all the nonsense after the last whistle.
The final score was Victoria 10, Maple Ridge 9. The frantic Maple Ridge pressure in the third stanza resulted in the Burrards firing 19 shots at Patterson, to just 12 for the Rocks. Victoria was tagged with 3 minor penalties in the third, Maple Ridge four. The teams split fighting majors at 18:20, coincidental with a Burrards cross-checking minor.
It was a welcome start to the Rocks' 2007 season. Given the early point in the season, the game was not without miscues and unfamiliarity amongst new teammates. But the green found a way to gut out a win on the road. If the Shamrock faithful were waiting to see what's up, the clues are there. A full roster and a few more weeks will give a better indication of the possibilities this year.
Shamrocks deal for some offence
Shamrocks deal for some offence
Sharie Epp, Times Colonist
Published: Friday, May 11, 2007
The Victoria Shamrocks added to their ranks this week, with a couple of Western Lacrosse Association deals. In return for a pair of 2008 draft picks, the Shamrocks acquired former Junior Shamrocks offensive star Curtis Morwick from the Langley Thunder, and traded with the Nanaimo Timbermen for transition players Brandon Gillis and Aaron Vanderhorst.
"I'm a little nervous, certainly. I just have to go out and do the best I can to step into a role right away," Morwick said last night, before his first practice with the team. With work and other commitments, he was unable to play anywhere but Vancouver Island, and the trade allows him to fulfil a career-long goal to join the Senior Shamrocks. "It's hard to picture going anywhere else."
Coach and GM Walt Christianson described the six-foot-one, 190-pound Morwick as a big strong lefty, while Vanderhorst is a gritty defender and Gillis brings hard-working versatility.
Victoria Shamrocks Acquire Nick Patterson
The defending Western Lacrosse Association champions Victoria Shamrocks are pleased to announce the acquisition of goaltender Nick Patterson in a trade with the Maple Ridge Burrards. In return for Patterson, the Shamrocks send goaltender Matt King, defenseman Rich Catton and a first-round draft choice in 2008 to the Burrards.
The defending Western Lacrosse Association champions Victoria Shamrocks are pleased to announce the acquisition of goaltender Nick Patterson in a trade with the Maple Ridge Burrards. In return for Patterson, the Shamrocks send goaltender Matt King, defenseman Rich Catton and a first-round draft choice in 2008 to the Burrards.Nick Patterson, 24, is widely considered as one of the top young goaltenders in Canadian lacrosse. After an outstanding junior career with the Burnaby Junior Lakers that included a Minto Cup championship and a Minto Cup most valuable player award in 2002, the Burrards made Patterson the first overall selection in the 2004 WLA Entry Draft. In 2004, he was named co-winner of the league's rookie of the year award and in 2005, despite having his season cut short by an injury, he won the league's most valuable goaltender award and was a first-team all-star. In 2006 he was a second team all-star.
"It was obviously a hefty price to pay," says Walt Christianson, the Shamrocks Head Coach and General Manager, "but it's not very often that you have an opportunity to acquire a goaltender of Patterson's caliber and he also happens to be a local guy. Championship organizations have great goaltending and with the departure of Anthony Cosmo it was important for us to rebuild our defense and defense starts from the back. Now with Patterson and (Aaron) Bold we're set in goal for the next 10 years."
Matt King played for the Shamrocks for four years after being drafted from the junior Shamrocks in 2003. He was part of two Mann Cup championships in 2003 and 2005. In 2006 he led Shamrocks goaltenders in minutes played during the regular season. "Matt is a class player and a great person," says Christianson. "It was very difficult for us to let him go, but the Burrards obviously wanted him and we felt it would be good for Matt to go to a new organization and have an opportunity for a fresh start which he deserves."
Rich Catton, a 13-year WLA veteran, played two seasons with the Shamrocks and was part of the 2005 Mann Cup championship team. In 2006 he won the Fred Wooster award as the unsung hero in the WLA. "Rich is a great person and he's one of the best defenders in the league," says Christianson, "but he has a young family in Vancouver and the travel was difficult. We knew when we signed him it would only be for a few years."
The Shamrocks home opener in the 2007 WLA season is on Friday, May 18th at 7:45 pm against the Nanaimo Timbermen at Bear Mountain Arena.
