Shamrocks’ attack proving lethal early
GAME DAY: VICTORIA AT NANAIMO, 7:30 P.M.
Defence starts with offence for the Victoria Shamrocks.
It was thought the fourth-seed Nanaimo Timbermen would try to disrupt the Shamrocks by employing a quick-counter transition game so Victoria’s fearsome defence wouldn’t have time to set up.
But the top-seed Shamrocks were having none of it in an 11-4 opening-game victory Tuesday at The Q Centre in their best-of-seven Western Lacrosse Association semifinal series.
The Victoria forwards, especially, were most adamant on the topic.
“We didn’t settle on bad shots,” said sniper Jesse King, who scored a hat trick in Game 1.
“That stopped Nanaimo’s transition game and gave our defence time to settle [after changes of possession].”
That is a key to the rest of the series, said hometown Victoriaproduct King as the series switches to Nanaimo’s Frank Crane Arena tonight for Game 2.
“Nanaimo has nothing on [Victoria’s defence] five-on-five,” said the Calgary Roughnecks NLL pro and former NCAA Big Ten field-lacrosse player for the Ohio State Buckeyes.
The Shamrocks defenders were grateful for the help from the gunners.
“Our forwards cut off Nanaimo’s transition game,” said Shamrocks defender Graeme Hossack.
The Timbermen couldn’t do the same as transition standout Hossack, the 2018 NLL defensive player of the year, scored twice for Victoria in Game 1.
“I try to contribute anyway I can,” said the Rochester Knighthawks NLL star from Port Perry, Ont.
“But I don’t try to force anything on offence. I’m a defence-first guy.”
Game 3 is back at The Q Centre on Saturday, with Game 4 at Frank Crane on Monday.
JUNIOR SHAMROCKS: The Victoria Junior Shamrocks have advanced to the Minto Cup national championship tournament for the first time since 2008. The Baby ’Rocks defeated the New Westminster Junior Salmonbellies 9-8 in the tension-drenched deciding Game 7 of their playoff semifinal series Wednesday at The Q Centre. Hanging in the balance was a berth in the 2019 Minto Cup this month at the Langley Events Centre. The Junior Shamrocks will join the Coquitlam Junior Adanacs, 4-2 winners over the Nanaimo Junior Timbermen in the other B.C. semifinal, and the winners of the Prairie and Ontario junior leagues.
Victoria and Coquitlam will still play in the B.C. final series ahead of the Minto Cup, details of which will be announced.
The Junior Shamrocks will attempt to end a drought of more than three decades. Victoria teams have won the Minto Cup three times — in 1962, 1976 and 1988.