IslandSavings Pre-Game Report: June 16

Tonight's game has been dubbed "the Revenge Game" as the visiting Maple Ridge Burrards handed the Victoria Shamrocks their only loss so far in the 2023 WLA season back on May 28 at Cam Neely Arena by a score of 7 - 4. Since then, the Burrards have dropped three straight games while the Shamrocks have won two straight.

Making his debut in the Shamrocks lineup tonight is veteran forward Chris Wardle who returns for his 8th season. He is fresh off of another long run in the National Lacrosse League playoffs with the Colorado Mammoth. While this year's run ended up in disappointment as the Mammoth failed to defend the championship they won last year, it was still a great season for both the team as a whole as well as for Wardle individually as he put up some strong numbers with 15 goals and 26 assists for 43 points in 20 regular season and playoff games. However, goals and assists never tell the full story when looking at the value of players like Wardle who brings much more to the table with his work off-ball and his compete level on forcing turnovers and loose balls.

While one player comes in, another is about to leave and tonight's game will be the last one for rookie forward Casey Wilson for a while as he travels on Saturday to San Diego where he will join Team Canada for the 2023 World Field Lacrosse Championships. Wilson will miss the next 5 Shamrocks game while he dons the Maple Leaf on the world stage.

If you haven't done so already, please get your tickets for the relocated game that was supposed to be played in Port Alberni but will now be played right here at the Q Centre on Saturday June 24 at 7:00 PM. It will probably be the first time in the 73 year history of the Shamrocks that their fans will be able to watch them play an away game in their own building. More importantly it's a great chance for fans to support a great cause as proceeds from the game will go to the Bread of Life food bank and soup kitchen in Port Alberni who offered food to those who were stranded without accommodations due to the highway closure resulting from the Cameron Lake wildfire. Special pricing is in place with the cost of tickets significantly reduced from regular Shamrocks home games. This is made possible in part due to the generous support of the West Shore Parks and Recreation Society. Tickets can be purchased online at www.victoriashamrocks.com or at the Shamrocks office.