Jr. B Rocks’ Season Over

After a regular season record of 16-2, the Tier 1 Jr. B Shamrocks had their season come down to a winner-take-all semi-final game 3 at the Q Center Tuesday. Unfortunately they came out on the losing end of a 12-9 score, sending the Langley Thunder into the league final against either Coquitlam or Port Coquitlam who find themselves in a similar situation going into game 3 Wednesday.

Starting goaltenders were Matthew Denis for the home team and Jansen McGregor for the visitors. Langley got things started early, Logan Claxton connecting just 40 seconds in from the side of the crease. Jax Heavenor replied for the Rocks at 1:46 off a rebound in front, the only goal Victoria would manage in the opening 20 minutes. Meanwhile Langley erupted for 5 straight beginning with Jacob Glass’ tally at 8:12 from outside the dotted line. Owen Van Ryn made it 3-1 at 10:39 and then there was a lull until the final minute when the visitors scored 3 goals in 20 seconds. It started at 19:12 with a power play goal from Claxton. At 19:18 Glass picked up is second of the game and at 19:32 Dallas Kilpatrick gave the visitors a 6-1 lead heading to the dressing room.

The newly-acquired Aaron Price replaced Denis between the pipes for the Shamrocks to start period 2 and the home team responded outscoring the Thunder 6-3. Dane Kinney opened scoring at the 29-second mark from inside the dotted line. Cam Smith replied for the Thunder 20 seconds later with a bouncer from outside the dotted line. Kinney got in close to beat McGregor at 1:47 for his second but Kilpatrick got that one back for the visitors at 2:19, his second of the contest. The Rocks put together a pair, the first a power play goal at 6:31, Kinney’s third as he picked the top corner. Heavenor added his second at 7:57. Josiah Allen found twine with a quick stick at 10:53 to make the score 9-5 for Langley but Victoria closed the gap to 2 with a pair to close out the middle frame. Ripley Wyker connected from the side at 12:32 and Dominic Smart got on a run at 15:20 to make it 9-7 after 40 minutes.

The teams traded goals through the final 20 minutes, the visitors outscoring the Shamrocks 3-2. Kilpatrick collected his third for Langley and Smith added his second and third. Kinney got his fourth for Victoria with Jordan Alexander getting the other.

Dane Kinney led Victoria’s offense with 4 goals and 2 helpers while Jax Heavenor chipped in 2 goals and 3 assists. Sawyer McKay and Landon Lockwood had 4 and 3 assists respectively, Jordan Alexander a goal and 2 helpers with Ripley Wyker and Dominic Smart each contributing a goal.

It was not the finish to the season that was hoped for but the Shamrocks can be proud of their regular season and a number of players will return next season, some at the Jr. A level.

The Langley Thunder await the winner of the other semi-final series which will be decided Wednesday.

- Janice Huckin