Shamrocks learn from defeat
VICTORIA VS. BURNABY, GAME 6: Q CENTRE, 6 p.m.
The Victoria Shamrocks know they must not let the “Collapse in Copeland” come to haunt their Western Lacrosse Association semifinal playoff series against the Burnaby Lakers.
The fourth-seed Shamrocks lead the best-of-seven series 3-2 against the top-seed Lakers, with Game 6 tonight at 6 p.m. at the Q Centre.
This is a Game 6 that seemed perhaps not needed, for much of Friday night at Bill Copeland Arena in Burnaby, before the Lakers scored six unanswered goals to rally for an 8-6 victory in Game 5 to save their season and stave off elimination.
“We had our foot on their throat, but gave them a little more life. We can’t let that be the would have, could have, should have moment of our playoffs,” said Victoria head coach Bob Heyes.
He is confident it won’t be, because he can read his players.
“Our guys were more mad that we let the game get away, than they were dejected or down, following that game Friday night,” Heyes said.
Even veteran players like these need to constantly re-affirm basic old lessons in sport.
“Did we continue playing to win, or, with the lead, start playing not to lose?” Heyes said.
“Lesson learned. You play to the final buzzer.”
That’s an oldie, but a goldie in terms of sporting bromides.
So is the notion of being lifted by the home fans.
“We expect a great crowd and atmosphere in our building for Game 6 and that always brings us energy,” Heyes said.
“We’re still in the driver’s seat. Even without [injured veterans] Rhys Duch and Matt Yager, and as the fourth seed going against the top seed. If before the series, you had given me the option of a 3-2 lead heading home, I would have taken it with a smile.”
Victoria’s bench, already missing Duch and Yager, got thinner with defensive specialist Dallas Wade having to depart to his U.S. collegiate NCAA field-lacrosse team in Tennessee.
“We will do some line juggling or insert a junior call-up,” Heyes said.
Game 7, if required, is in Burnaby on Tuesday.