’Rocks strike early, often against Adanacs
VICTORIA 14 COQUITLAM 6
So much for slow starts.
The Victoria Shamrocks had scored just six first-period goals in their first three Western Lacrosse Association outings this season, getting off to sluggish openings.
On Friday night, they matched that total in the first 20 minutes, opening up a 6-2 lead and wrapping up a comfortable 14-6 victory over the visiting Coquitlam Adanacs at The Q Centre. The win leaves Victoria at 4-0 in the standings.
“We’re building and I was really happy with the way we started the game,” said head coach Bob Heyes, whose troops scored just five times in total the night previous in a 5-4 win in New Westminster. “The defence is playing great. The goaltending is there right now.”
Captain Corey Small wasted little time getting it started, scoring just 19 seconds in as he recorded another big night on the home floor, finishing with three goals and seven assists for his second straight 10-point performance at home.
Draft pick Matt Hamilton recorded his first four goals as a Shamrock and added an assist with dad, and assistant coach, John Hamilton in the press box, proudly watching on.
“I was just hoping to get the first one and it went in, thankfully. Then the next few went in also. I couldn’t ask for anything more. It worked out well,” said Matt, who will remember the special night, having grown up wanting to be a Shamrock like his dad.
Junior call-up Cole Pickup had a huge night as well with four goals and three helpers, while Mike Triolo provided two goals and five points. Cody Nass finished with a goal and three assists.
Dean Fairall had three goals for Coquitlam, while Randy Jones, Matthew Delmonico and Vinny Ricci added one apiece.
Goalie Cody Hagedorn made 29 saves to record his fourth win for Victoria. Backup Cody Cook also stopped four shots and allowed two goals as he saw action in the third period.
Victoria played without Rhys Duch for the second straight night. Joining him in the stands were Paul Brebber, Casey Jackson, Josh Fagan, Evan Messenger and Tristan Rai.
CLOVER POINTS: NDP leader John Horgan, donning a Shamrocks jersey, took on the role of colourman for play-by-play announcer Teddy Jenner in the second period of the online broadcast. The previous night, Horgan’s picture was on Twitter wearing a Salmonbellies uniform vs. the Shamrocks. Horgan is a big supporter of the local WLA team and had his Victoria jersey on underneath.