They do not meet up again until a week from Friday, but make no mistake, the Langley Thunder and Victoria Shamrocks are the talk of the Western Lacrosse Association, now that rosters have been finalized.
The Thunder made the loudest noise by adding Mark Matthews, Adam Jones and Jeremy Noble in transfer agreements late last week.
They followed it up on the July 1 trade deadline by acquiring Dane Dobbie, Damon Edwards and Nick Rose in Coquitlam鈥檚 fire sale in exchange for Brandon Goodwin, Matt MacGrotty and a third-round pick in 2015 and a conditional selection.
Victoria, which did most of its acquiring in the off-season, added defender Jon Harnett (brother of Greg Harnett) from Coquitlam in exchange for a second round pick in 2014.
The Shamrocks still have two regular-season dates against Langley 鈥� the two-time defending WLA champions who obviously aren鈥檛 going away quietly 鈥� but will focus on Burnaby tonight as they face the Lakers at 7:45 p.m. at Bear Mountain Arena.
鈥淲e鈥檙e not focused on anything else except where we left off in Nanaimo [on Saturday]. The offence really came together and finished strong,鈥� Shamrocks head coach Bob Heyes said of the 15-9 win. 鈥淲e鈥檙e down to the Shamrocks team that people will see the rest of the way.
鈥淚 like our lineup. We had a good defensive sa国际传媒 Day practice and we want to come out with a strong effort [today].鈥�
Adding Jon Harnett only makes them stronger.
鈥淗e鈥檚 a welcomed addition,鈥� said Heyes. 鈥淗e brings experience, grit, a bit of nastiness. He rounds out our defence and Jon had previously stated he wanted to come here a few years ago. It just finally came to fruition.鈥�
To make room for the likes of Jon Harnett, Rhys Duch and goalie Matt Vinc 鈥� who is back tonight 鈥� the Shamrocks released Mike Pires late last week, placed third goaltender Josh Phillips on injured reserve for the rest of season and placed Rhys Jones on the holdout list.
鈥淛on Harnett is a premier defender in this league and has one of the best sticks of any defender anywhere,鈥� Shamrocks general manager Chris Welch said of his latest addition. 鈥淗e fits perfectly into our group and addresses a need we have identified. We were very excited when he was available.鈥�
As for the Thunder, the Shamrocks 鈥� and everyone else for that matter 鈥� took notice.
鈥淭hey definitely looked at other teams and their lineups and saw what they were up against. Those deals, at least the transfer deals, take time to do, so it was obviously a work in progress. It makes them stronger, but we鈥檒l see how they all mesh together,鈥� said Heyes.
鈥淚 know with us, we鈥檝e had some challenges with offence meshing with all the talent we have. They鈥檒l have some of the same challenges. Once they figure it out and we figure it out, it would be a heck of a series, if we do indeed meet up in the end.鈥�
They鈥檒l meet up twice before the post-season.
For now, the Shamrocks remain in first place overall at 8-3, with Maple Ridge (6-4-0) and Langley (5-3-2) tied for second and Burnaby 5-6-0 sitting fourth.
CLOVER POINTS: Burnaby has defeated Langley twice this season. 鈥� If the Shamrocks can win by four goals fans will be treated to free legendary burger platters on White Spot Winning Wednesday. 鈥� Injured Victoria star Scott Ranger may be a game-time decision.
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