Thunder Rolls Over Shamrocks in Season's First Setback

The Victoria Shamrocks played host to the Langley Thunder Friday night, but it was a rough night for the green and white as Langley handed them their first loss of the season with a final score of 11 – 7.

New Captain Marshal King made his home debut tonight to a strong ovation from the fans during introductions, but it was Langley that struck first, scoring a pair in the first minute of the contest.

Victoria tried to answer back with Brenden Jamieson making a case for a long-term roster spot with a goal at 6:11, but Langley quickly responded with another one of their own to maintain a two-goal lead halfway through the first period. The teams traded goals through the rest of the period, with additional goals from Cole Pickup and Koen Block, but the period would end with Langley taking a 5 – 3 lead into the break.

Langley added another two early in the second period, as the physicality of the play ramped up with Victoria's Tyrell Hamer-Jackson serving two minutes for Checking from Behind, and Langley's Evan Messenger getting two minutes for Holding.

Two more from Victoria (Zach Manns, Koen Block) and one from Langley kept the Shamrocks within striking distance heading into the third, with Langley holding an 8 – 5 lead.

Both teams were getting some good looks early in the third, it was Langley's Okino who allowed the first goal of the period as Brodie Wade brought things back to a two-goal difference. 

Things got interesting at 6:39 in the third period as Langley interfered with Victoria on a scoring attempt, which resulted in a line scrum behind the net. After some pushing and shoving, Marshal King, Cole Pickup, and Dante Kulas were sent to the penalty box, while Zach Manns was awarded a penalty shot.

Manns found the back of the net with his penalty shot, but it was Langley with three more unanswered in the third period to give them an 11 – 7 victory and their first win of the season, and Victoria's first loss.

Three stars tonight were awarded to Zach Manns (2G, 4A), Connor Watson (3G, 3A), and Keegan Okino (48/55 SV). The Shamrocks will be back in action with another home game on Friday, June 5th as they host the Burnaby Lakers.