They are two very different players, but both come with a respected value to the Victoria Shamrocks.
Cory Conway is off to a torrid start in the points department with the Western Lacrosse Association club, which travels to Langley tonight to face the Thunder at 7 p.m., and Karsen Leung continues to run up a storm as a transition player with the two-time defending league champions.
鈥淚t鈥檚 just a natural gift I have, I guess, and I use it to my abilities,鈥� Leung said of his speed and ability to run forever.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 my advantage, my speed. This team needs me to push the ball and we have a lot of guys on this team who can run the floor with me, which is nice.鈥�
Leung, 25, also plays that vital role with the Calgary Roughnecks of the National Lacrosse League.
In four games since rejoining the Shamrocks following the NLL season (he played the day after the Roughnecks bowed out of the playoffs, a sign of his dedication), he has two goals and three assists. One goal came short-handed as Leung plays in those key situations.
鈥淜arsen is such a great player,鈥� coach Bob Heyes said. 鈥淲e know what we鈥檝e had with him from Day 1, but he steadily improves and he鈥檚 consistent. There鈥檚 the odd time when he wants to take off early [in transition], but those are habits we have to instill in everyone.
鈥淗e鈥檚 such a threat [with his speed]. Against Burnaby [an 11-5 win], we needed goal in transition and he got it. It was a key performance for him. He took a shot to the head [on his ear], he iced it and he finished the game. He just gives you everything he has every night.鈥�
Conway, 27, returned to the Shamrocks this season after taking 2014 off.
鈥淚 grew up playing with him. I鈥檓 glad he鈥檚 back,鈥� teammate Matt Yager said. 鈥淗e has a good stick and he鈥檚 a big body. We could have used him last year, yeah, but some guys get worn out or you need a break, so he鈥檚 back and ready to go and it鈥檚 a new year.鈥�
With the same old results for Conway, who is always near the top in points. The Brentwood Bay product currently sits tied for second in WLA scoring with New Westminster鈥檚 Logan Schuss with 18 points, two behind Shamrocks teammate Rhys Duch with 20 (Schuss has played one less game).
Conway, one of the best passers in the league, also has 11 assists to sit fourth in the league in that department.
鈥淐ory is a great player. Obviously we missed him last year,鈥� Shamrocks general manager Chris Welch said.
鈥淲e鈥檙e glad that things worked out and that he鈥檚 able to come back and take another run at it again this year.
鈥淥ut the front door he does everything well. The kid has incredible vision on the floor and the kid feeds as well as anybody in the sport,鈥� Welch added of his right-hander.
鈥淭he one knock is, he has a great shot and that he doesn鈥檛 use it enough.
鈥淚 think everyone tries to get him to shoot more. He鈥檚 totally an unselfish guy who sees him, first and foremost, as a playmaker, but he鈥檚 also a great finisher.鈥�
CLOVER POINTS: Longtime trainer Jim (Downtown) Cain resigned from the club this week. 鈥淛im has been a staple with the club over the years and we would like to thank Jim for his 38 years of dedicated service to the club. He will be definitely missed,鈥� the Shamrocks posted on their Facebook page on Monday. 鈥� Scott Ranger and Tyler Hass (injuries) are both game-time decisions tonight for Victoria. Dan Dawson will not play. 鈥� Ryan Dilks, of the NLL champion Edmonton Rush, is expected next week and his teammate, goaltender Aaron Bold, joins the Shamrocks at the end of the month.
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