Lakers’ defence smothers Shamrocks again to force seventh game

Momentum is often mentioned as a deciding factor in sports.

And all of it seems to be with the Burnaby Lakers in their Western Lacrosse Association semifinal playoff series against the Victoria Shamrocks.

The Lakers have overcome a 3-1 games deficit in the best-of-seven series to force a seventh and deciding game today in Burnaby.

The Shamrocks again failed to close it out as the Lakers took the sixth game 8-5 Sunday night at The Q Centre.

It was another late collapse for the Shamrocks, who on Friday allowed Burnaby to escape with five unanswered goals in the third period, in an 8-6 Burnaby win in Game 5.

Sunday’s Game 6 was tied 4-4 entering the third period before Burnaby scored three consecutive goals en route to outscoring Victoria 4-1 in the final period.

“We had them with their backs to the wall in this series but they responded and showed their character. Now it’s up to us to show ours,” said Victoria forward Corey Small, the regular-season WLA scoring champion.

It is not lost on the Shamrocks that they have only scored 11 goals in the last two games, and only one in the third period.

“We have to work harder for goals and get into the grittier areas. We are taking too many lowpercentage shots. We have to find a way to attack them,” said Small.

Those thoughts were echoed by Victoria head coach Bob Heyes.

“It was 4-4 in the third period and the game was there for the taking,” said the Shamrocks bench boss.

“Our offence is not doing what it takes. We need to be willing to go to the dirty areas. [Lakers] have a big, bruising defence. We’ve got to get inside and pay the price.”

Addressing the momentum the Lakers appear to have built up over the last two games, Heyes said it has to be taken away early in Game 7 today at Bill Copeland Arena in Burnaby.

“The first 10 minutes are going to be vital,” he said.

Small and NLL Rochester pro Joe Resetarits had a goal and two assists each for Victoria on Sunday, before a home crowd of 1,802 fans, who were left wondering whether this was the last time they would see their team this season.

Mike Triolo, Casey Jackson and junior call-up Cole Pickup scored the other Victoria goals. Scott Jones led Burnaby with three goals while NLL-pro and former Drexel NCAA standout Robert Church added two goals and two assist and Cam Milligan two goals.

Aaron Bold made 33 saves in goal for Victoria and Eric Penney 32 for Burnaby.

Burnaby won the WLA regularseason crown for the first time in franchise history and went into the playoffs as the top seed. Victoria was denied in its quest for a fifth-consecutive regular-season title, slipping to the fourth seed, and looks to be a dynasty on the brink. Adding to the storyline is that Victoria beat Burnaby in seven games in the playoff semifinals last year. Heyes said that isn’t lost on the Lakers.

Small said both Games 5 and 6 were there for the taking for Victoria, and that the Shamrocks dressing room remains buoyant.

“We’ve beaten these guys [Lakers] three times this series. There’s no reason why we can’t do it again,” he said.