Jackson was action and Jesse was King for a night as the Victoria Shamrocks opened the 2018 Western Lacrosse Association season with a Duch treat.
Casey Jackson and Jesse King scored five goals each and Rhys Duch added nine assists for Victoria in a 13-11 victory over the Burnaby Lakers at a packed The Q Centre on Friday.
But a shiny Penney almost stole the show. The only reason the game was even close was Burnaby鈥檚 Eric Penney, who showed why he was named 2017 WLA first-team all-star goaltender. The native of Rexdale, Ont., who plays pro in the NLL for the Vancouver Stealth, faced a furious barrage as Victoria outshot the Lakers by a whopping 69-36 margin.
Former NCAA Big-Ten Ohio State Buckeyes field-lacrosse star King, who had 224 points for the Shamrocks in 61 career games before missing the entire 2017 WLA season to injury, had a memorable return. It has been a long way back after tearing his ACL, MCL and meniscus late in 2016 in what is described as the unholy trinity of knee injuries.
鈥淭he knee is great now. I was excited to get back. It was one of the greatest feelings to be back in this arena where I grew up playing as a kid,鈥� said King.
鈥淭his offence is going to be so talented this year.鈥�
Jackson, who had an eight-point night, concurred.
鈥淸King] and I worked really well together,鈥� said Jackson.
鈥淲e both just got back from the winter season [playing pro lacrosse in the NLL], so there wasn鈥檛 too much rust.鈥�
Jackson was asked if he can recall a game in which his team launched 69 shots on net.
鈥淣ot that I can remember,鈥� he said.
鈥淧enney is an awesome goalie. We were happy to get 13 past him.鈥�
Victoria trailed 3-1 before scoring four unanswered goals to open the second period.
It was the season opener for Victoria, and dropped the Lakers to 0-2, after Burnaby opened the season with a 12-7 loss Wednesday in Langley.
鈥淭hat was a lot of shots on goal,鈥� said Shamrocks head coach Bob Heyes, entering his seventh season on the Victoria bench.
鈥淚t was a positive for the offence, although, we have to work on finishing and accuracy. And I would like to see us spread around scoring more, but it鈥檚 early in the season and that will come.鈥�
Cody Hagedorn was in goal for Victoria.
The Shamrocks鈥� road opener is literally up the road June 2 at Nanaimo in the Island derby against the Timbermen, before Victoria returns to The Q Centre to face the defending WLA champion New Westminster Salmonbellies on June 3.
BOXLA BITS: Matt Yager replaces the departed Corey Small as Shamrocks captain. . . . The WLA has inaugurated a three-person officiating system this season. . . . Premier John Horgan, a fixture at lacrosse and rugby events around the region, was accompanied by wife Ellie in dropping the ball for the ceremonial opening face-off before the game.
