VICTORIA 15
NANAIMO 9
听
The Victoria Shamrocks have not proven to be road warriors so far this Western Lacrosse Association, but came up with a key 15-9 victory on Saturday in Nanaimo.
Despite blowing an 8-4 lead in the second period (heading to the third tied 8-8), the visiting Shamrocks prevailed with seven third-period goals against the Timbermen at Frank Crane Arena.
The victory evens Victoria鈥檚 record away from Bear Mountain Arena to 3-3. They are 5-0 at home.
鈥淵eah, thanks for reminding me,鈥� Shamrocks head coach Bob Heyes said prior to the game in reference to the road mark. 鈥淥ur goal is to win every season series. A win in Nanaimo would give us that series.
鈥淭hey are the surprise of the league, though,鈥� Heyes added of the young Timbermen. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 no knock on [coach] Kaleb Toth, or anybody else. They have two big wins against Burnaby and New West and those are good teams.
鈥淭hey鈥檝e got guys who bought into a system and every goal they get reinforces that system, which is huge. When you get a whole team buying into that system, it pays off and it makes a coach鈥檚 job easier to do. I have nothing but respect for what they鈥檝e done.鈥�
Playing without Scott Ranger, the Shamrocks were led by Jeff Shattler鈥檚 four goals and two assists, while Corey Small added three goals and three helpers. Rhys Duch added five points (two goals), while Mitch Jones and Cory Conway had a goal and three assists each. Derek Lowe (two goals), Matt Yager and Kory Kowalyk also scored.
Cayle Ratciff led Nanaimo with four goals while Cody Bremner and Myles Dennett added a pair each. Blake Kenny had the other.
Victoria returns home to face the Burnaby Lakers on Wednesday at 7:45 p.m.
CLOVER POINTS: A correction to Saturday鈥檚 story 鈥� goaltender Josh Phillips remains with the club, but it鈥檚 expected the Shamrocks will have to drop him from the roster for the July 1 deadline. 鈥� The Intermediate Shamrocks defeated the Richmond Roadrunners 10-9 in overtime Saturday with Nick Preston leading offensively with four goals and an assist. The Junior Shamrocks lost 14-13 to the Langley Thunder with Jesse King pacing the locals with eight goals.
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