Pride is a powerful motivater.
So the Victoria Shamrocks say they can take nothing for granted tonight at the Q Centre against the Western Lacrosse Association last-place Coquitlam Adanacs (2-15).
The Shamrocks (11-5) found that out last week in Coquitlam when they fell behind 6-2 to the Adanacs before rallying for a 13-11 overtime victory.
鈥淸Adanacs] are playing for pride and to be spoilers,鈥� warned Shamrocks head coach Bob Heyes.
Heyes said it took an on-bench dressing down, mid-game by assistant coach Mike Simpson, to jolt the Shamrocks back to life in Coquitlam: 鈥淗e told the guys to wake up.鈥�
With offensive-threats Rhys Duch and Chris Wardle still on the shelf, Victoria is calling up Junior Shamrocks players Braylon Lumb, who was the sa国际传媒 Junior 鈥楢鈥� League MVP, Marshall King, Brad McCulley and defensive stalwart Dylan Rehman.
鈥淔ans will see at least a couple of those players in the lineup [tonight],鈥� said Heyes.
鈥淚t gives us a different look and more energy.鈥�
The latter is an important factor indoors in box lacrosse in high summer.
鈥淚t鈥檚 going to be hot, for sure, both [tonight] and Sunday,鈥� said Heyes.
Victoria closes out the regular season Sunday at the Q Centre against the Salmonbellies.
The second-place Shamrocks will play either the Nanaimo Timbermen or Maple Ridge Burrards in the WLA playoff semifinals, beginning next week.
The New Westminster Salmonbellies (14-3) clinched the 2018 WLA regular-season crown with a 16-6 victory over the Timbermen on Thursday night at Queen鈥檚 Park Arena. Regardless of that result, the Timbermen (9-7-1) have qualified for the playoffs for the first time in 11 seasons. They can finish third and set up an all-Island playoff semifinal against Victoria if the T-Birds beat the Burnaby Lakers (6-10-1) on Saturday night at Frank Crane Arena in the Harbour City.
鈥淭hat would be great for Island lacrosse and the WLA as a whole,鈥� said Heyes.
The other playoff club, Maple Ridge (9-8-1), has finished the regular season. The Burrards await this weekend鈥檚 results to see if they meet Victoria or New Westminster in the semifinals.
