Rocks Back in Win Column

After suffering their first loss of the season Sunday on the mainland, the Tier 1 Jr. B Shamrocks roared back into the win column Tuesday at the Q Center as they toppled the Nanaimo Timbermen 16-6.

Matthew Denis was Victoria’s starting goaltender while Jaxson West guarded the net at the other end of the floor. The first period was very tame for a battle between the two island rivals. Only 4 goals were scored, all by the home team and one penalty to each team. Jordan Alexander notched the first goal of the game at 6:46 with a shot that bounced in off the goaltender. Theo Munroe scored at 8:05 to open up a 2-goal lead, although I’m sure I saw Alexander reach around from behind the net to put the ball behind the netminder. Breckyn Williams made it 3-0 on a solo effort at 13:58 and Ryle Rutty added another, cutting to the net at 15:17. Shots favored Victoria 23-13.

Period 2 saw a lot more offense, 10 goals being scored I all. The home team scored 3 more before the T’Men solved Denis, the first off the stick of Dominic Smart at 4:40, taking a long outlet pass. Alexander got his second at 5:04 picking the top corner and Munroe made it 7-0 at 5:40 with a VERY long shot. Nanaimo finally got on the board at 8:04, Connor Ninowsky getting on a run but the Rocks buried a couple more, Ripley Wyker and Cole Leung finding twine. That prompted a Nanaimo goaltender change as West was replaced by Tyson Atkinson. That seemed to energize the visitors as they scored a pair, Archer Irving tallying at 12:50 and Isaiah Ramsden at 14:28. The Rocks added two more before the period ended, Jax Heavenor connecting on a power play at 16:39 and Sawyer McKay getting in close at 19:23.

The final frame saw play deteriorate and several major penalties being assessed. Victoria rattled off 4 straight goals to start the period, Alexander getting his hat trick on a power play, Heavenor, Williams and Wyker all adding their second goals of the game. An injury to Atkinson forced West back between the pipes for Nanaimo. Fight night at the Q Center is scheduled for June 20 but there was a pretty good tilt between Victoria’s Jaden Roach and Nanaimo’s Brandon Kilgour. The Timbermen offense finally made another appearance as they got 3 straight goals, Carson Gunderson with a pair and Ninowsky with his second. Heavenor added his hat trick marker at 19:32 to close out the scoring.

Victoria got offense from a lot of players. Both Jordan Alexander and Jax Heavenor had hat tricks with 3 and 2 assists respectively. Ripley Wyker had a 6-point game on 2 goals and 4 helpers while Theo Munroe added 2 and 3 and Breckyn Williams a pair of goals and 2 assists. Sawyer McKay and Ryle Rutty each had a goal and 2 assists with Cole Leung and Dominic Smart adding 1 of each. Bryder Ibsen chipped in 3 assists while goaltender Matthew Denis made 27 saves and contributed 2 assists to the offense.

Next up for the Tier 1 Jr. B Shamrocks is a home game Saturday at the Q Center at 2 pm when the visitors will be the Delta Islanders. That will be followed at 5 pm by a game between the Jr. A Shamrocks and the visiting Langley Thunder.

- Janice Huckin