Rocks Improve to 4-1

The Tier 1 Shamrocks jumped to a 4-1 record to sit atop the league standings with an 8-7 victory over the visiting Delta Islanders at the Q Center Saturday.

Adam Bland got the start in goal for the Rocks with Ashton Leclair his counterpart at the other end of the floor and it was the Shamrocks getting on the scoreboard first when Logan Wright found twine at 1:35 on a run to a net, that goal coming unassisted.  Delta replied with a pair, Jake McIntosh scoring at 9:26, getting in close and Bland getting a piece but not able to hold on.  The visitors took the lead on a power play goal off the stick of Ben McDonald at 11:13, putting the ball over the goaltender from the side of the crease.  Victoria answered back at 18:54, Brodie Strugnell scoring unassisted on a run off transition.  Before the period ended, the Islanders once again took the lead, Peyton Hooper tallying shorthanded, getting in close.  That was how the first period ended, the visiting Islanders holding a 3-2 edge and outshooting the Shamrocks 19-13.

The home team took charge in the middle frame, rattling off 4 straight before Delta was able to solve Bland again.  First it was Brayden Flynn finding the back of the net with a power play marker at 7:13, off a loose ball pickup.  Wright picked up his second of the contest at 11:21 on a run and Jonathon Boyd gave the Rocks a 5-3 lead at 13:50 grabbing a long outlet pass and getting in close.  Cameron Lumb extended the lead to 3 goals with an unassisted goal at 14:18 on a run before Rhys Porteous managed a reply for Delta, that goal coming with a delayed penalty about to be called on Victoria at 17:58.  The Rocks added a pair before the intermission with Carson Echlin scoring at 18:57 with a hard shot from the dotted line and Davis McCulley making it 8-4 for the home team at 19:44 with a hard, low shot from well out.

The third period saw the Islanders score all 3 goals to make the game close.  Porteous picked up his second at 4:50 with Kevin Sobey adding another at 8:17 and finally a power play goal at 16:58. McDonald picking up his second of the game.  Delta pulled the goaltender for the extra attacker in the dying seconds but were unable to get the equalizer.

Leading the way offensively for the Shamrocks was Logan Wright with 2 goals while Cameron Lumb, Davis McCulley, Brayden Flynn, Carson Echlin, Brodie Strugnell and Jonathon Boyd added singles.  Adam Bland had an outstanding game in goal, kicking out 40 of the 47 shots he faced to pick up the win.

Next action for the Tier 1 Rocks is a road game Sunday in Port Coquitlam before they return to the Q Centre next Saturday, May 18 at 1:00 to take on the Langley Thunder.