Shamrocks Improve to 4-0

The Tier 1 Jr. B Shamrocks are on a roll to begin the season.  They picked up a road win Thursday in Nanaimo and Saturday at the Q Center the Richmond Roadrunners were the latest victims, falling 12-8 to bring the Rocks to a 4-0 record.

Getting his second start of the season in goal for the home team was Tyler Williams while Bodre Mitchell was his counterpart at the other end of the floor.  Victoria jumped out to a 6-0 lead, including a pair of power play markers before Richmond found the back of the net with a late tally.  It was Bryder Ibsen scoring just 38 seconds into the game from the dotted line.  He made it 2-0, cutting across the front of the net at 5:01.  Cody Junghans scored with the man advantage at 8:08 and at 11:50 Sawyer McKay added another power play market on a bullet from the dotted line.  At 12:44 Parson Shahi got in close to make it 5-0 and at 18:15 Jaden Roach opened up the 6-goal lead.  The ‘Runners finally solved Williams at 18:33, Josh Mantle getting in close.  Shots were 24-9 in Victoria’s favour.

The second period saw just 4 goals scored, 3 of them by the visitors to make the game much closer.  Caleb Jang scored unassisted to get Richmond on the board at the 9-second mark.  They added a short-handed goal at 8:08 off the stick of Iain Patterson.  Victoria replied at 10:39, Jordan Alexander making no mistake off a rebound in front.  Just over a minute later, the visitors notched one more, Mantle’s second of the contest as he was falling in front of the net.  Despite being outshot 23-14 in the period, Richmond had drawn within 3 and were down 7-4.

The boys in green got off to another quick start in period 3, rattling off 3 straight, the first coming from Anthony Chevalier just 36 seconds in on a bouncer in close.  Another pair of power play goals followed, the first from Ripley Wyker at 7:46 from the side of the net and another from Cole Leung at 10:24 as he faked then shot.  Goals came quickly after that as Richmond replied at 10:39 Torrstenn Blodgett getting in off the faceoff.  On the next faceoff the Rocks took advantage, Ryle Rutty getting in close at 10:47.  The Roadrunners put together 3 straight goals to pull once again within 3, including one power play goal.  With the score 11-8, Victoria managed one more, Chevalier picking up his second of the game at 19:14 into the empty net as Richmond opted for the extra attacker. Shots were 20-15 for Victoria giving them an overall 67-38 advantage.

Sawyer McKay, Ripley Wyker and Jordan Alexander led Victoria’s offense with 4 point games on a goal and 3 assists while Bryder Ibsen and Anthony Chevalier chipped in 2 goals each.  Parson Shahi and Ryle Rutty had a goal and an assist with Cole Leung, Jaden Roach and Cody Junghans contributing singles.  In goal Tyler Williams stopped 30 shots and added 2 assists.

The Shamrocks are on the road Sunday and also for 2 games the weekend of May 16-17 before returning to the Q Center Saturday, May 23 to face the Coquitlam Adanacs at 2 pm.  The Jr. A Shamrocks will also be in action that day with a 5 pm game against the Adanacs.

• Janice Huckin