The Victoria Shamrocks will open the Western Lacrosse Association regular season May 26 at The Q Centre against the Langley Thunder.
But it’s a road game on June 24 that has everyone’s attention.
The Shamrocks will square off against the Burnaby Lakers on that June date at the Alberni Valley Multiplex in Port Alberni. The Lakers will technically be the home team, but the Shamrocks are more than happy to be taking their show on the road to the Albeni Valley for the first time since 2005.
Shamrocks general manager Chris Welch is excited to have the Shamrocks help showcase the WLA in Port Alberni. “It’s great for more communities on the Island to be able to see the top level of Canadian lacrosse in their own back yards,” Welch said in a statement.
Welch was a part of the Shamrocks organization when they last played in Port Alberni.
“I was able to see and experience first-hand the capacity crowds and the electric atmosphere in the arena with so much energy and enthusiasm. It was a lot of fun and I have no doubt it will be again in front of the great Alberni Valley fans.”
The Shamrocks will arrive in Port Alberni early on the 24th and host a youth camp at the outdoor lacrosse box.
The Alberni Valley Bulldogs of the sa国际传媒 Hockey League are hosting the WLA game.
Bulldogs president David Michaud has envisioned the opportunity to host a game for some time, and now that’s it is officially on the WLA schedule, he is thrilled the community will have the opportunity to see high level lacrosse at the Multiplex.
“First and foremost, we want this to be a fun summer night where the community can get together the way we do for Bulldogs games. This will be a great night and a fun event. If you haven’t witnessed lacrosse at this level, it’s really entertaining.” said Michaud.
Tickets will be $18 for adults and $12 for youth 18 & under. Current Bulldogs season ticket holders will have until April 30 to purchase their seats for the game before they are released to the public.
The Shamrocks’ final game will be July 29 in Coquitlam against the Adanacs. Eight of the nine Shamrocks home games will be on Friday nights at The Q Centre. The other is on a Wednesday evening. There are no Sunday home games for Victoria, as in recent previous seasons.
The WLA unveiled its 2023 regular-season schedule Thursday. Each team will play 18 games, nine at home and nine away.
The 2022 WLA-finalist Nanaimo Timbermen open at Queens Park Arena in New Westminster on May 25 against the Salmonbellies. The Nanaimo home opener is against the Langley Thunder on June 3 at Frank Crane Arena.
