Rocks Get Redemption Against 'Bellies

The Tier 1 Shamrocks were looking to get redemption after the New Westminster Salmonbellies stopped a winning streak with a 1-goal victory on the mainland last Sunday.  They got back on the winning side with a mid-week win against Nanaimo and Saturday they faced the Salmonbellies on home turf, coming away with a 14-8 win in a dominant performance.

Starting goaltenders were Ryan Atkinson for the Shamrocks and Colton Caron for the visitors.  It was the Salmonbellies getting on the board first, Connor McNeil tallying 4:59 in and the visitors went up by a pair at 6:03, Jordy Marshall getting in close, Atkinson getting a piece.  The Rocks made good on a man advantage at 7:30, Isaac Swan with a quick shot in close. Casey Wilson got the home team even with a shorthanded marker at 15:48, going to the net.  New West regained their 2-goal lead with goals from Alex Nimmo at 18:02 and Steph Richard at19:26 but Victoria got one of those back at 19:59, Patrick Dodds finishing off some quick passes with the extra attacker on the floor and Atkinson on the bench.  After 20 minutes, the ‘Bellies were up by a 4-3 score.

It took only 21 seconds for the Shamrocks to once again tie the score in period 2, Garrett Wicks firing from outside the dotted line. Colt Gnech gave the Rocks their first lead of the game at 3:30 with an unassisted goal on a run off a loose ball pickup.  Swan got his second of the contest at 5:33, 3 guys breaking and it was 6-4 Shamrocks. Dodds collected his second on the power play at 7:39 to open up a 3-goal lead.  It held up for about 3 minutes before McNeil got his second for the visitors at 10:36 and Joe Callard got a goal with a delayed penalty about to be called at 11:46 to bring the ‘Bellies within a goal.  That was as close as they would get.  Victoria once again stretched the lead to 2 with Jonathan Boyd’s tally at 12:03 on a quick stick from the side of the crease.  That is how the period ended, the Rocks holding an 8-6 lead.

The home team opened the scoring in the final frame, Boyd getting his second at 1:44 on a crazy bounce that saw a Salmonbellies player slide into the net and knock the ball in.  New Westminster got one back at 3:40, Richard getting his second cutting to the net but the Rocks got on a 3-goal run to put the game out of reach. First it was Denton Macdonald scoring at 5:30 from outside the dotted line.  Brody Black added to Victoria’s lead at 11:08 after a great penalty kill, firing from outside the dotted line.  Casey Wilson added his second on the power play at 13:56 to make it 12-7 Shamrocks.  Call-up Adam Bland got the call to replace Atkinson in the Victoria goal and New Westminster responded with a goal at 16:22, Callard getting his second.  But Bland shut the door after that and the Shamrocks managed a couple more, Black getting his second at 16:43 and Brayden McQuarrie adding an empty netter at19:05 to salt away the win.

Several Shamrocks had 2-goal nights – Isaac Swan, Casey Wilson, Jonathan Boyd, Brody Black and Patrick Dodds who also added 7 assists for a 9-point night.  Denton Macdonald had a goal and 5 helpers with singles coming from Colt Gnech, Garrett Wicks and Brayden McQuarrie.

The Tier 1 Shamrocks are on the mainland Sunday to take on the Langley Thunder and return to the Q Centre next Saturday, June 9 at 1:00 pm to host the Port Coquitlam Saints.