The three-game win streak to start the 2016 Western Lacrosse Association season is over for the three-time defending champion Victoria Shamrocks, who lost for the first time since winning the Mann Cup last September.
The New Westminster Salmonbellies saw to that on Thursday, building up a 5-0 lead and recording a 14-6 victory over the visiting Shamrocks at Queen鈥檚 Park Arena.
Victoria, now 3-1, returns home tonight to face the 2-0 Maple Ridge Burrards at 7:45 p.m. at The Q Centre.
Despite being undefeated heading into Thursday鈥檚 matchup, Shamrocks head coach Bob Heyes knew his team needed to work harder on its game.
鈥淚n our three wins we鈥檝e relied on our talent and experience. We鈥檝e probably been out-worked in two of those three and that鈥檚 not a great equation,鈥� Heyes said prior to the outing.
Jeff Shattler led the way offensively for the Shamrocks with two goals and three assists. Chris Wardle also scored a pair, while Rhys Duch and Matt Yager also scored for Victoria. Cory Conway recorded five helpers.
Shamrocks captain Corey Small continued to sit out with an upper-body injury.
Logan Schuss led New West with three goals, while Ben Davies and Chris Nasato added a pair.
