Shamrocks Open with Home Win

The 2026 lacrosse season has begun and the Tier 1 Junior B Shamrocks started on a positive note with a 13-4 home victory against the visiting Langley Thunder.

Starting goaltenders were Marcus Khan for the visitors and Matthew Denis for Victoria. It was the Rocks jumping out to an early 3-0 lead, Jordan Alexander getting in close just 55 seconds into the period. Anthony Chevalier made it 2-0 with an unassisted tally at 12:28 and Alexander picked up his second of the contest a minute later on a bullet from well out and an extra attacker on the floor on a delayed penalty call. Langley managed to solve Denis at 16:12, Dylan Massa netting a goal short-handed from inside the dotted line. The score after 20 minutes was 3-1 for the Shamrocks who also outshot the visitors 16-10.

Langley pulled within a goal at 5:38 of the middle frame, Cam Smith firing a bullet from the dotted line. Victoria responded with a 4-goal run, beginning with Ripley Wyker’s bouncer from in close at 6:16. Sawyer McKay added another at 9:06 with a hard shot that had eyes. Just 38 seconds later Wyker collected his second and at 10:04 Ben Cowen made it 7-2 for the boys in green, cutting across in front. Langley once again scored late, picking up a pair of goals from Dylan Massa and Logan Claxton at 11:28 and 16:40 respectively. That left them at a 7-4 deficit after 2 periods. Shots were 19-13 in favour of the Shamrocks.

The third period was all Shamrocks offensively as they connected 6 times while goaltender Denis shut the door at the other end of the floor. Chevalier picked up his second of the game, diving across at 1:22. Noah Booth picked up a rebound and found twine at 2:49. Chevalier added his hat trick marker on a 5-on-3 power play at 5:21, going on a run. Alexander then notched his third of the contest at 9:39. After a penalty kill Ben Cowen came off the bench to collect a pass and put it behind Khan to make it 12-4. Finally Theo Munroe scored shorthanded at 18:12 while killing off a 5-minute major, to provide the margin of victory. Once again the home team led in shots on goal by a 14-5 margin.

Leading the way offensively for the Shamrocks were Anthony Chevalier and Jordan Alexander each with 3 goals and 2 assists. Ben Cowen and Ripley Wyker added a pair of goals. Singles came from Sawyer McKay, Noah Booth and Theo Munroe while Jax Heavenor chipped in 3 assists and Parson Shahi and Chance Peskett contributed a pair of helpers each. Matthew Denis was solid between the pipes.

The Tier 1 Shamrocks are back on the floor today Sunday, May 3 as they host the Maple Ridge Burrards at 4 pm at Panorama Leisure Center. They will return to the Q Center next Saturday, May 9 when the visitors will be the Coquitlam Adanacs. Game time is 12:30 pm.

- Janice Huckin