The man known simply as Vino (or @Vno48 to Twitter followers) had Victoria Shamrocks fans toasting his arrival.
Goaltender Matt Vinc made his debut with the Western Lacrosse Association club in a 13-6 victory against the visiting Coquitlam Adanacs on Friday night at Bear Mountain Arena.
The win went down like a fine glass of Zenato Amarone della Valpolicella red wine 鈥� forget that stuff right out of the box.
Wearing No. 48, Vinc was spotted a quick 4-0 lead by the 6:35 mark of the opening period, only to see that wash down with a bad after taste as the Adanacs responded with four goals in 4:13, including a pair on the power play.
The 鈥橰ocks squeezed the visitors like a wine press in the second, out-scoring them 6-1.
鈥淚 think the nerves got the better of me in the first, but our offence put in six in the second period which helps relax a goalie,鈥� said Vinc, who threw in a number of great outlet passes and recorded two assists for good measure.
鈥淭he guys really gave me a good first game and let me ease into it and I couldn鈥檛 have asked for a better way to start,鈥� added Vinc, who hasn鈥檛 played since the National Lacrosse League championship victory with Rochester.
His athleticism and quickness was also evident.
Vinc had plenty of offensive help, but he did stop 23 of 25 shots in the last two periods.
Slippery Scott Ranger opened the scoring 1:40 in, eluding his check and diving out from behind the corner of the net on a beauty. He had four on the night for the Shamrocks, who were led once again by Corey Small. He had three goals and four assists to follow up his six goals and three helpers from last Friday鈥檚 win over Maple Ridge.
Cory Conway, with two goals and four assists, Tyler Hass, Mitch Jones, Karsen Leung and Jeff Shattler also scored for the Shamrocks who improved to 7-2 and have now won the season series against the Adanacs (3-6).
Brett Hickey, with a pair, Damon Edwards, Scott Tinning, Dane Dobbie and Matthew Dinsdale replied for Coquitlam.
Victoria improved its spot in first place, three points up on Langley, which lost to Burnaby on Friday.
Goaltender Nick Rose, who had Victoria鈥檚 number more than once last season as the Adanacs toppled the Shamrocks in the post-season without having home-floor advantage, remains out for Coquitlam. Adam Shute maintains the duties as Rose was injured in the first outing against the Shamrocks.
The game also featured a battle of the Harnett brothers, Jon with Coquitlam and Greg with Victoria, but Vinc was the attraction for the fans, who gave him a warm welcome.
鈥淎nything that I鈥檝e ever heard from any friends who have played here 鈥� they talk about the fans and the support and how the community gets behind the players,鈥� said Vinc. 鈥淚t makes it nice to play summer ball in front of people who really enjoy the game.鈥�
Head coach Bob Heyes sure liked what he saw.
鈥淗e made some huge saves for us, but it was his ball movement which was great out there and his activity around the net,鈥� Heyes said of his new starting goaltender.
The Shamrocks venture to Maple Ridge on Sunday.
