Today, the Shamrocks travel to Coquitlam hoping to get a similar result against the four-time defending sa国际传媒 champion Adanacs, who won the first two games 13-8 and 13-6.
鈥淟angley was in the same position, and they did it. There鈥檚 no reason why we can鈥檛,鈥� Victoria GM Rod Wood said at practice on Wednesday, where the Shamrocks were working on a game plan designed to put more balls in the net.
鈥淲e鈥檙e playing a good team, and we have to play our best to beat them,鈥� 鈥橰ocks coach Nirmal Dillon said. 鈥淲e鈥檝e made a few adjustments in our offence. We鈥檝e got to move the ball better. They鈥檙e very well-coached.鈥�
The Shamrocks averaged more than 14 goals a game, and led the league in scoring during the 21-game regular season, netting 308 markers, 66 more than the first-place Adanacs. The scoring trend has changed course against the Adanacs, who have a defence that鈥檚 been 鈥渃rushing鈥� guys in the middle, while the Shamrocks aren鈥檛 getting enough quality shots.
鈥淐oquitlam has been able to shut down our offence, and that was our big weapon through the year,鈥� Wood said. 鈥淭heir defence has been playing extremely well. We鈥檝e got to find a way around that defence.鈥�
Fast breaks and transition goals might be the key to success, rather than taking the time to move up the floor and set up plays, Wood said, along with cutting down the penalties. The Shamrocks felt there were some questionable calls by officials in the first two games, but they have to stay out of the box and take the pressure off the defence and goaltender Cody Hagedorn.
鈥淐ody has been playing great in net,鈥� Wood said. 鈥淲hat鈥檚 been hurting us is the amount of power plays they鈥檝e had. We鈥檝e been wearing ourselves out.鈥�
Still, the mood on Wednesday was upbeat. The Shamrocks might have their backs against the wall, but they鈥檙e still standing.
Game 3 faces off at 3 p.m. today. If a fourth game is necessary, it鈥檒l be at Bear Mountain Arena on Sunday at 5 p.m.
IN THE POCKET: Jr. 鈥橰ocks team awards were announced this week. They include: MVP, Chris Wardle; top scorer, Jesse King; most inspirational, Brody Eastwood; rookie of the year, Jake Cullen; sportsman, Dane Schoor; most popular (voted by players), Derek Anderson; top defensive player, Brandan Smith; best conditioned, Chris Wardle; most improved, Dominik Pesek. 鈥� In best-of-three Intermediate A playoffs, the Shamrocks downed New Westminster 9-7, then lost 8-7 in overtime, setting up a do-or-die game today in New West. The winner advances to the four-team provincial tournament.
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