Shamrocks clinch overtime victory at Coquitlam

With first place safely secured the previous night, there was really little to play for except momentum.

The Victoria Shamrocks did make a few roster moves to wrap up the regular season in Coquitlam against the Adanacs on Saturday night, but kept most of their offensive stars in the lineup in an 11-8 overtime victory over the hosts.

Jesse King returned to the roster and posted four goals and an assist for the Shamrocks, who finished with a 14-4 record, tops in the Western Lacrosse Association.

It was a delicate position to be in with Game 1 of the playoffs set for Tuesday at The Q Centre against the Burnaby Lakers — risk injury to players already banged up or continue on in what is now a five-game win streak?

It was also a back-to-back scenario for the Shamrocks to close out the campaign.

Paul Brebber and Ethan Garland remained out of the Victoria lineup and were joined by Myles Kenny, Cory Conway and Steve Higgs. King, Tom Arsenaut and Thomas Moffat were inserted.

“I think it’s important for some of us older guys and leaders to make the point that there is no taking any games off unless you absolutely need to,” said Shamrocks points leader Rhys Duch, who easily secured the WLA scoring and points titles.

Duch had two goals and six assists on Saturday to eclipse the 100-point plateau with 43 goals and 101 points, well ahead of teammates Corey Small with 75 points and Conway with 72.

“The culture of this team is a little different than in previous years and I think it’s important to keep that compete level up because complacency is going to cost us if we have any in the playoffs. It’s a little too close to playoffs to be taking any games off,” Duch said.

Head coach Bob Heyes said the Shamrocks would carefully consider bumps and bruises in drawing up the lineup and assistant coach Art Webster concurred.

“There are a couple of guys we wanted to get into the lineup who have been with us all year.

“It’s a good opportunity for them to get in,” Webster said beforehand.

Arsenault had played four games and Moffat had dressed in six prior to Saturday.

Jeff Shattler had four goals for Victoria and Josh Fagan also scored for the victors, who outscored Coquitlam 4-1 in overtime.