Shamrocks Look to Rebound Against Winless Lakers

The Victoria Shamrocks (2-1-0) return to The Q Centre tonight looking to bounce back from last Friday's 11-7 loss to the Langley Thunder, as they host the Burnaby Lakers (0-4-0) in the first meeting between these two clubs this season.

It's been a tale of two extremes for both teams through the early weeks of the season. Victoria's offence has been humming, averaging nine goals, but their penalty kill has been a liability. The key to tonight may be as simple as stay out of the penalty box. Victoria's best path to a bounce-back win is keeping five runners on the floor and letting their offence do the talking.

Despite their a rough start with an 0-4 record, Burnaby is no pushover offensively. Ethan M'Lot and Finn Halladay are both sitting at 11 points through four games, with Austin Ducommun and Jake Young adding nine apiece. The Lakers will be hungry for their first win, and they'll look to take advantage of any lapse in Victoria's discipline. The Shamrocks can't afford to give them the opportunities.

At even strength, the matchup tilts sharply in Victoria's favour. The Lakers' goaltending has been the story of their season for all the wrong reasons, and with Zach Manns (14 points in 3 games), Marshal King (8 points in 2), Patrick Dodds, Koen Block, and Chris Wardle all clicking, Victoria's attack will be looking to find the net early and often.

Tickets are available online at VictoriaShamrocks.com or at the door. It all starts tonight with the pre-game parking lot tailgate powered by Hoyne Brewing Co and the Rotary Club of West Shore at 5pm, doors open at 5:30pm, and the alumni night action begins with a ceremonial faceoff from lacrosse legend Gary Gait at 6:30pm.