Shamrocks get a Bellie-full of hot goalie
After three games, there appears to be no making sense of the 2017 Western Lacrosse Association playoff final. A tight opening game has been followed by two blowouts, one for each team.
The New Westminster Salmonbellies defeated the Victoria Shamrocks 14-4 Tuesday evening at Queen’s Park Arena to take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
The Salmonbellies broke open a 1-1 game midway through the first period with 12 unanswered goals to take a 13-1 lead midway through the third period, which isn’t a score line anybody sees too often in a WLA final.
“It’s one of those situations where it doesn’t look good on the scoreboard, but in the series, it’s only 2-1," said Shamrocks head coach Bob Heyes, trying to make sense of Tuesday’s lopsided outcome.
“It’s another regroup and wakeup call.”
The fourth-seed Shamrocks have had plenty of those in the 2017 post-season, including in a seven-game semifinal series victory against the top-seeded Burnaby Lakers.
It’s not as if Victoria didn’t push the pace. But New Westminster goaltender Alexis Buque was outstanding in making 52 saves and being named first star of the game.
Shamrocks goaltenders Aaron Bold and Cody Hagedorn combined to make 36 saves.
Heyes said National Lacrosse League pro Buque is going to be an issue for Victoria as the series moves forward.
Casey Jackson scored twice for the Shamrocks and Joe Resetarits and rookie Evan Messenger once each. Logan Schuss had six goals for the Salmonbellies on a ninepoint night.
The Salmonbellies won 9-7 in Game 1 of the WLA final at Queen’s Park. Victoria responded firmly with an 11-5 victory in Game 2 at the Q Centre.
Game 4 is Friday night at the Q Centre and Game 5 Sunday at Queen’s Park. If required, Game 6 would be Aug. 29 at the Q Centre and Game 7 on Sept. 1 in New Westminster.
The Shamrocks are in the WLA final for a fifth consecutive year, having won in 2013, 2014 and 2015 before losing to the Maple Ridge Burrards last year. New Westminster last won the WLA title in 2010, the last of a three-year run as league champions.
The winner of the series will host the Mann Cup national championship series against the winner of the Ontario final between the Peterborough Lakers and Six Nations Chiefs.
Peterborough — often listed with Victoria and New Westminster as the three best lacrosse towns in Canada — leads the Ontario final 1-0 following a 10-7 win in Game 1 on Tuesday.
The Shamrocks last won the Mann Cup in 2015 and have nine national titles in total. The Salmonbellies have won a record 24 Mann Cups since 1913, but none since 1991.
BOUNCE SHOTS: The WLA announced its all-star teams Wednesday. Forward Corey Small of the Shamrocks was named to the first team with four Burnaby Lakers: Robert Church and Eli McLaughlin up front, Justin Salt on defence and Eric Penney in goal. Also making the first team was New Westminster’s Brett Mysdke on defence.
Towering two-way player Steve Priolo of Victoria was named to the second-team defence with Mike Messenger of the Salmonbellies. The second-team forwards are Chase Fraser of the Nanaimo Timbermen, Mitch Jones of the ’Bellies and Ben McIntosh of Maple Ridge, with Buque in goal.