New Look Shamrocks Win Home Opener

2010-05-15

Many of the newcomers made an immediate impact, as fans got a first look at Paul Dawson, Matt Lyons, Kevin Dostie, and rookies Matt Yager, Mike Pires, James Cadwallader and Tyler Hass. 

Nick Patterson got the start in goal for the Shamrocks with Ron Schibild his counterpart at the Maple Ridge end of the floor.  Dean Hill got the Rocks on the board first as he finished off a quick passing play at 4:17.  At 8:02 Curt Morwick buried one just after the Shamrocks had executed a successful penalty kill.  On the power play, Kyle Morwick gave the home team a 3-0 lead with a quick-stick right at the end of the 30-second clock.  The visitors finally found the range as Jarrett Davis scored unassisted, picking up a rebound at 10:19.  Rookie Mike Pires restored the 3-goal lead, putting one in from right beside the crease at 13:42.  If anybody thought the Shamrocks were going to take any crap, they found out otherwise.  Head coach, Walt Christianson preaches team toughness and fans saw it firsthand tonight when, at 15:17 Tyler Miotto gave Noah Talbot a shot in the chops and Jeff Shattler took exception and took him to task.  Miotto received two five-minute majors, for high-sticking and fighting, as well as a game misconduct while Shattler took a 5-minute fighting penalty.  In any event, the teams retreated to the dressing room with the Shamrocks holding a 4-1 lead.  Shots on goal were even at 16 apiece.

The Burrards opened the scoring in period 2 with Jarrett Davis netting a pair of goals.  The first came at 1:41 when Davis got in close and the second came at 3:40 with a delayed penalty being signaled against the Shamrocks and Maple Ridge with the extra player on the floor.  Curt Morwick replied for the Rocks at 6:18 and then there was a bit of a lull before Dylan Llord started a barrage of 4 goals in 2:47.  Llord scored his marker after the completion of another successful penalty kill at 12:00, diving across and beating Schibild.  Just 18 seconds later, the Burrards got a goal from Derek Lowe on a bounce shot in close.  Kevin Dostie scored his first goal as a Shamrock at 13:18 when Luke Hinton picked off an errant Maple Ridge pass, carried the ball down the floor and found Dostie in close.  At 14:47, Brennan Galbraith found the back of the Victoria net after a series of quick passes.  Before the period ended, Jeff Shattler restored the 3-goal Shamrock lead as he put the ball over top of the goalie.  Maple Ridge held a period lead in shots on goal of 20-14 but Victoria had the lead on the scoreboard 8-5.

Maple Ridge got on the board first in the final period, Curtis Steedsman scoring from in close.  A textbook tic-tac-toe passing play saw Dostie net his second at 5:41 but just over 3 minutes later, Lowe scored his second on a long shot that Patterson probably should have had.  Curt Morwick added a pair before the end of the game.  His hat-trick marker came at 9:44 as he reaped the benefits of some good ball control by Shattler to get the ball down the floor.  Despite a few give-aways by the Shamrocks, the Burrards were unable to solve Patterson and Morwick's fourth goal came with just 15 seconds on the clock as he picked up a rebound and beat Schibild.

Offensively the Shamrocks were led by Curt Morwick with 4 goals and Kevin Dostie with a pair of goals and 4 helpers.  They were named the game's first and second stars respectively.  Jeff Shattler had a 5-point night with a goal and 4 assists while Mike Pires chipped in a goal and 3 helpers.  Other goals came from Kyle Morwick, Dean Hill and Dylan Llord.  Nick Patterson kicked out 40 of 47 shots for the victory.

For the Burrards it was Jarrett Davis leading the way with a hat trick and 1 assist and taking third star honours.  Derek Lowe had a pair of goals with Curtis Steedsman and Brennan Galbraith the others and Aaron Davis had 3 assists.

In other WLA action Friday the defending champion New Westminster Salmonbellies defeated the Burnaby Lakers 9-3.

The Shamrocks are on the road next Wednesday when they face the Langley Thunder.  Next home game is next Friday, May 21 when the visitors will be the Salmonbellies.  Game time at Bear Mountain Arena is 7:45 pm.

-by Janice Huckin