It was a regular season for the record books, but the Victoria Shamrocks know full well the record book is on the shelf now and it’s time re-focus for the Western Lacrosse Association playoffs, where everyone starts with exactly the same record.
The WLA champs put their 18-game winning streak on the line tonight at The Q Centre when they host Game 1 of their best-of-five first-round playoff series against the fourth-seed New Westminster Salmonbellies (8-10). Game 2 goes Friday night at Queen’s Park Arena in New Westminsters, with Game 3 back at The Q Centre on Sunday night.
The Shamrocks enter the series as heavy favourites, the Salmonbellies still pack some serious punch on the attack. New Westminster’s 191 goals were second only to Victoria’s 197 and Salmonbellies’ super sniper Will Malcom led almost every offensive cateogry this season, leading the league in points (112), goals (52) and assists (60).
It’s at the other end of the floor where the Shamrocks take a huge advantage into the series. Chris Origlieri led the WLA in goals-against average (6.70), save-percentage (.842) and wins (10).
If a fourth game is needed in the series, it will go Aug. 13 in New Westminster, with a fifth-and-deciding game set for Aug. 15 at The Q Centre.
The Maple Ridge Burrards drew first blood in the other WLA semifinals series, picking up a 12-10 win on Tuesday night at home against the Langley Thunder. Game 2 goes Thursday at the Langley Events Centre.
The WLA champion will advance to the Mann Cup national championship tournament to be played at the home of the Major Series Lacrosse champion. The defending champion Six Nations Chiefs have already booked their ticket to MSL final, sweeping the Cobourg Kodiaks 4-0 in their semifinal series. The Chiefs will play the winner of the Peterborough-Brooklin series. Peterborough leads that series 3-0.
LOOSE BALLS: The WLA awards and all-star teams were announced Tuesday. Incredibly, Mike Simpson of the Shamrocks was overlooked as coach of the year. That award went as a tie to Rob Williams from the Burrards and Steve McKinley from the Coquitlam Adanacs. Named first all-star team goaltender was Origlieri of the Shamrocks. Forward Jesse King of the Shamrocks was also named to the first team for his 65 points in 13 games. Nate Wade and Zach Manns from Nanaimo were named as WLA second-team all-star selections. … The two ‘B’ level Shamrocks teams are off to national championships. The Senior B Shamrocks have advanced to the President’s Cup tournament Aug. 25-31 at the Ladner Leisure Centre, while the Tier 1 Shamrocks won their provincial championship last weekend in Kamloops with a two-game sweep of the Venom and will head to the Founder’s Cup tournament Aug. 19-25 in Hamilton, Ont.
