Shamrocks Sink Lakers

2010-05-30

The Rocks' head coach Walt Christianson dressed his two ‘new' goaltenders and it was former Jr. Shamrock Matt Flindell getting the start while former Shamrock hopeful Drew Dickie donned the duds to protect Burnaby's cage.

Rhys Duch got the Shamrocks on the board at 2:18 when he got a bounce shot behind Dickie.  It was over 10 minutes later before the next goal was scored, Tyler Hass taking advantage of his speed on a breakaway, deking and shooting to put the home team up by a pair.  Jeff Shattler made it 3-0 Shamrocks with a short bounce at 13:01 and Trevor Moore finally solved Flindell at 13:37 to get the Lakers on the scoreboard.  Each team had a pair of power play opportunities in the first period but neither looked particularly powerful.  Both goaltenders played well as shots favoured Burnaby 14-12 but they were down 3-1 going to the dressing room after 20 minutes.

The Rocks increased their lead in period 2, scoring 3 times in the first 7:10.  First Curt Morwick cut in and converted a pass from brother, Kyle at 3:20. At 5:33, Shattler got his second of the night making a break on transition after Hass had picked up the loose ball.  At 7:10 it was Duch getting his second of the night, going in unmolested to beat Dickie.  At this point, Christianson decided to give his other young goalie a look and Neil Tyacke replaced Flindell.  The move did not appear to pay off as the Lakers stormed back with 4 unanswered tallies although to be fair Tyacke could have probably made a good case for non-support on some of Burnaby's chances.  Kerry Susheski got in close at 13:28 and beat Tyacke.  Scott Tinning found the back of the net at 14:48.  Burnaby's 4^th goal came off the stick of Owen McNab at 18:34, a goal on which Tyacke appeared to be screened and Cam Bergman capped the 4-goal run, scoring at 19:07 from the side of the crease.  Victoria outshot the Lakers 20-15 in the middle frame, but the visitors outscored the Rocks 4-3 and suddenly it was a game.  After 40 minutes the lead was a slim 6-5 in Victoria's favour.

The third period was all Shamrocks as they erupted for 4 goals and outshot their opponents by a 21-8 margin.  Dean Hill connected with a shot to the top corner at 2:21.  A little over a minute later it was defender Dylan Llord increasing the Victoria lead to 3 beating Dickie from in close.  Shattler got his hat trick marker, shooting through traffic and defender James Cadwallader put the icing on the cake with an unassisted goal on a breakaway at 15:37.

Jeff Shattler led the Shamrocks with a hat trick and 1 helper while Rhys Duch had a pair of goals and 1 assist.  Other goals came off the sticks of Tyler Hass, Dylan Llord, Curt Morwick, Dean Hill and James Cadwallader.  Rookies Matt Yager and Kory Kowalyk each had 2 assists as did Kyle Morwick.  Shattler and Hass were named the game's first and third stars respectively.  Shamrocks coach Walt Christianson has some tough choices to make in trying to make the last few roster cuts - wouldn't want to be him.  Matt Flindell had a solid game in goal while Tyacke shook off a tough start to his half-game to finish strong in the third period.

The Lakers got goals from 6 different players, with Cam Bergman being named the 2^nd star on the basis of his goal and 2 helpers.  Dane Stevens chipped in 3 assists while Dickie faced 53 shots in the Burnaby net.

The Shamrocks are on the road Sunday to face the Timbermen in the Nanaimo Ice Center and again on Thursday, when they will be on the wooden floor at Queen's Park Arena taking on the Salmonbellies.  They return to Bear Mountain next Friday at 7:45 when the Timbermen make the return trip.  Lots of history in this match-up and many familiar faces in the Nanaimo line-up including former Shamrocks head coach Art Webster behind the bench and Lewis Ratcliff on it.

-by Janice Huckin