Marshal King Erupts for Six Points as Shamrocks Down Burrards 11-9 in Civilized Rematch

Marshal King was the engine, Zach Manns provided the fuel and the Victoria Shamrocks left Cam Neely Arena with an 11-9 road victory over the Maple Ridge Burrards Sunday evening, pushing their record to 8-1-0 and cementing their hold on first place at the Shamrocks' midseason mark.

King finished with six points on the night, netting four goals, including two in the decisive third period, and adding two assists. Manns was equally dangerous, scoring a hat trick that included a powerplay marker and setting up two of King's tallies. Jacob Hickey chipped in a pair of goals while Luke Pilcher added a goal and an assist.

The Burrards had their full arsenal Sunday with leading scorer Marcus Klarich in the lineup, a luxury they didn't have in the teams' first meeting this season. It didn't matter. Klarich finished with four goals and an assist, keeping Maple Ridge in the game through three periods, but Victoria never flinched.

Klarich opened the scoring at 2:56 of the first and the teams traded leads before King put the Shamrocks ahead for good at 12:27. Maple Ridge tied it again at 13:07, setting the stage for a second period the Shamrocks would dominate.

Victoria outscored Maple Ridge 5-1 in the middle frame, building an 8-4 lead. Manns' unassisted goal at 7:25 proved to be the dagger; Victoria didn't trail again. The Shamrocks went 3-for-4 on the powerplay for the night. Maple Ridge converted twice on five opportunities.

The third period got feisty as the Burrards mounted a push, pulling within 10-8 on a powerplay goal by Klarich with the extra attacker at 17:45. Nick Preston answered nine seconds later to restore a three-goal cushion, and Maple Ridge added a late goal with their goalie pulled to set the final at 11-9.

This contest was a stark departure from the teams' earlier meeting this season, which produced a combined 132 penalty minutes and a parade to the penalty box. Sunday's game featured just five minor penalties and one major, a considerably cleaner affair that let the skill on both sides dictate the outcome.

Three Stars: First star: Chris Origlieri (46 saves). Second star: Marshal King (4 goals, 2 assists). Third star: Jacob Hickey (2 goals, 1 assist).

Victoria's road trip continues with games in Burnaby on June 26th and a return visit to Maple Ridge on June 28th, the final meeting between these two clubs until the post-season. The Shamrocks return home to Q Centre on July 3rd to host the New Westminster Salmonbellies.