All in the family: Pickups shift into gear for Jr. ’Rocks
GAME DAY: PORT COQUITLAM AT VICTORIA, 5 P.M.
The opportunity to get back on the lacrosse floor and to play with younger brother Clark Pickup has eased the pain of a B.C. Hockey League semifinal exit for Cole Pickup.
The two-sport athlete has transitioned from junior hockey to junior lacrosse, from the Victoria Grizzlies to the Victoria Jr. Shamrocks. The latter will be looking for its second win of the young B.C. Junior A Lacrosse League season in its home opener today at 5 p.m. at The Q Centre.
The Jr. Shamrocks (1-1) entertain the Port Coquitlam Saints shortly after the intermediate Shamrocks (0-1) play host to New Westminster at 1:30 p.m.
Victoria dropped a 10-6 decision in Burnaby last Sunday after securing a 16-4 win in Nanaimo in the league opener two nights prior on April 21. The Shamrocks let a 5-1 lead slip away and allowed the final six goals of the game in the difficult loss.
Cole Pickup was not in the lineup in the defeat, due to school commitments as he prepares to extend his hockey career to the University of Nebraska-Omaha. He had two goals and three assists in Game 1 for the Jr. Shamrocks.
“It’s always nice to get back into lacrosse,” said Pickup. “It’s a bittersweet feeling when the floor goes back in. The same goes for when the ice goes in, but it’s exciting to be able to play with my brother, for sure.
“In Tyke, he was aged up once so we played together there, but this is special. He was called up [from Intermediate] a couple of times and that was cool, too. We weren’t sure if I was going to play this year, but I’m fortunate enough to do this with him,” added Cole, who was sought after by the Six Nations Chiefs Junior team.
Clark is 18, soon to be 19, and Cole just turned 21.
“I know our coaches are happy with how he’s worked. He’s one of those kids that will put in 100 per cent effort and he’s willing to listen, so he’ll only get better,” added Cole of his brother, who is a defender.
Ben Preston led the way offensively in the loss with three goals for the Shamrocks, while Brody Black had a goal and three helpers. Mason Pomeroy had four goals and two assists for Burnaby.
Black, an Intermediate call-up, led the league in points (as of Friday) with eight, while Robb was tied for the goal-scoring lead along with his teammate Wilson and two others with four.
“I had a half a practice before my first game. I still have things I want to work on, but at the end of the day we were pretty happy with the performance of the team in the win,” said Pickup.
After today’s game, the Jr. Shamrocks will head to Coquitlam to play the Adanacs on Sunday at 2 p.m. The Intermediates will venture to Richmond on Sunday afternoon.