听
The spotlight was directed onto the 2015 Mann Cup banner as it was raised (albeit pre-game) to the roof at The Q Centre on Friday night.
It was a cloud nine-like atmosphere as more than 2,900 fans relished a ceremony celebrating the club鈥檚 ninth Senior A national lacrosse title.
No one shone brighter than Cory Conway on this night, though. The Brentwood Bay product had two goals and 15 assists as the Shamrocks opened the 2016 season in spectacular fashion, with an 18-6 win over the visiting Nanaimo Timbermen.
Conway unofficially established league records for points in a game set by Jim Douglas (16 points) back on June 1, 1941, and assists in a game (12) by Brian Evans in 1978.
Conway easily surpassed his mark of seven assists in a game last season and had 11 helpers in the first period alone.
The story coming in wasn鈥檛 so much about the game 鈥� although Conway certainly changed all that 鈥� as it was the tradition.
Last year鈥檚 captain Scott Ranger, now retired, trotted out the treasured trophy, much to the delight of the standing-room only crowd. It was an observance of history for the storied organization, which also won in 2005, 2003, 1999, 1997, 1983, 1979, 1957 and 1955.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a great honour to be a part of that and it鈥檚 a special night for the Shamrock organization and all our great fans. It was long overdue. It was a long wait,鈥� said Shamrocks general manager Chris Welch, who was in a different capacity with the team in the 2005 win.
鈥淭his is what it鈥檚 all about. To be able to bring a national championship to Victoria is a thrill, something I will never forget.鈥�
Current assistant coach Art Webster was also with that 2005 team. Webster has won five national crowns, three as a player, and veteran assistant coach Dave Lowdon was a teammate of Webster's in 1979 and 鈥�83.
Lowdon claimed his first as part of the coaching staff last year and new assistant coach Terry Dennett was a player with the 2003 team.
Then there鈥檚 head coach Bob Heyes, who also won two as a player in 1979 and 鈥�99, before guiding the team behind the bench last year.
On Friday, Conway stole the show.
鈥淚 knew from my first look at Cory when we met a few months ago that we had a different guy on our hands," Welch said of Conway. 鈥淚鈥檝e never seen a guy looking so fit and ready to play as he is right now.
鈥淗e's turned the corner with his lacrosse and he鈥檚 just reaching his prime. We鈥檙e going to be in for a special year with him this year, no question.鈥�
Conway, Corey Small (seven goals and four assists) and Rhys Duch (three goals and nine assists) went off on the visitors.
Chris Wardle had two goals and newcomers Ian McShane (with a pair), Thomas Moffat and Steve Higgs also scored for the 鈥橰ocks, who led 11-2 after one period. Cody Bremner, Mitch Parker, Cole Kryworuchka, Brett Hawrys and Chase McIntyre replied for Nanaimo.
Twitter/tc_vicsports
