The Victoria Shamrocks did their part in attempting to lock up second place in the Western Lacrosse Association with an authoritative 14-8 victory over the Nanaimo Timbermen at Bear Mountain Arena on Friday night.
The Burnaby Lakers could bump the Shamrocks from that perch with a win tonight against Coquitlam after an equally impressive 14-6 triumph over the Langley Thunder on Friday.
A Burnaby victory tonight would leave the Lakers tied with the Shamrocks at 11-7, but the Mainland team won the head-to-head series against Victoria and would thus steal second place and grab home-floor advantage in the playoffs.
Friday was Victoria鈥檚 final regular-season game and the Shamrocks came up with a much needed win before 2,217 fans after losing three of the last four.
Victoria captain Scott Ranger opened the game with a pair of goals before gaining a 10-minute misconduct midway through the first period. Ranger ended up with five goals on the night, including three in a 3:23 stretch in the third period against his former teammates.
鈥淲e wanted to be in control of our own destiny, we didn鈥檛 want to be relying on help from anyone else,鈥� said Shamrocks assistant coach Dave Lowdon, who will await tonight鈥檚 result along with the remainder of the 鈥橰ocks.
鈥淲e needed this win tonight. It was great to see the fellas step up and do what we had to do.鈥�
Derek Lowe had an impressive outing with three goals and four assists for the victorious Shamrocks. Cory Conway 鈥� also a former Timbermen 鈥� had two goals and six assists for Victoria and callup Blair Pinnock added three goals, while Corey Small also tallied once
Cayle Ratcliff and Cody Bremner, with a pair each, Jake Emms, Blake Kenny, Kyle Hofer and Jim Delaney replied for Nanaimo, which failed to make the post-season.
The Shamrocks are expected to start the best-of-seven semifinal Wednesday, then play Aug. 7, 9, 11, 12, 14 and 16 鈥� the last three if necessary. Venues will alter home and away each game.
Playoff tickets are already available, with season-seat holders having first right of refusal.
