The Victoria Shamrocks defeated the Nanaimo Timbermen 11-8 on Friday night, securing first place overall in the Western Lacrosse Association (for the third straight season) and, at the same time, finalizing their playoff opponent.
Victoria will meet the Burnaby Lakers in the opening best-of-seven series starting Tuesday at 7:45 p.m. at The Q Centre before moving to the Mainland on Thursday and returning to the Island for Game 3 on Friday at 6 p.m.
League-leading point-getter Rhys Duch once again led the Shamrocks with four goals and two assists to up his totals to 41 goals and 93 points before a home crowd of about 2,200 on Friday.
鈥淵ou have to take care of business. We didn鈥檛 want to look past tonight,鈥� said Shamrocks assistant coach Art Webster. 鈥淚f we had to go at it tomorrow, that would have been fine, but we preferred getting it done.鈥�
Captain Corey Small had two goals and three assists, while Chris Wardle had two of each. Cory Conway had a goal and four helpers to add to his league-leading total of 63 assists. Jeff Shattler had a goal and three assists and Tyler Burton (short-handed break) also scored for the now 13-4 Shamrocks, who led 4-1 and 9-4 by periods.
Chase McIntyre, with a pair, Colton Clark, Jake Cullen, Matthew Benedict, Brandan Smith, Kyle Hofer and Pascal Coombes replied for the Timbermen, who finished with a 4-14 record.
Victoria ends the regular-season campaign in Coquitlam tonight at 7 against the 7-10 Adanacs, who like Nanaimo, missed the WLA post-season. The Shamrocks are expected to sit some key players, but many suggested they would prefer not to hold back.
鈥淲e鈥檝e accomplished what we wanted, first place and 13-4 going into [today]. It鈥檚 not what we thought at the start of the year, but we鈥檝e built a good team,鈥� said head coach Bob Heyes. 鈥淭hese guys want to go full tilt and win the game [today].鈥�
Jesse King is expected back in Coqutlam.
Cody Hagedorn earned the win in goal, stopping 31 shots, while Peter Dubenski took the loss facing 48 shots.
