The Victoria Shamrocks took game one of the best-of-seven WLA final series on a role just as they finished in the Burrards game, knocking them off in four straight games.
Shamrocks “tender” Aaron Bold stopped 41 shots in the 11-3 victory over the “bellies” including three breakaway stops in the opening period of the game.
I think everyone knew that the Bellies were in tough against the Shamrocks, considering the season record of 14-4 followed by a four game sweep of the Burrards in the “feisty” opening round.
“I think collectively as a team we were focused and we knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but we stuck to our principles,” said Bold, who was stellar and never allow a goal in the third period.
“I watched a little bit of game film and that helps, but I studied the the one where they beat us in New West.”
“Of course, that always leaves a bad taste in your mouth so, collectively, you try to get better each game and I think it definitely paid off. It’s about not getting too far ahead of yourself, though, just sticking to what I did today and adding a bit more on top of it to make sure that consistency is there.”
In the first period alone Bold played exceptional and managed to stop 17 of 18 shots which could have easily got the Bellies back in the game.
New West head coach Steve Goodwin told the media “I thought it was four, but he obviously played well and if you’re going to win games, you have to get to the goaltender.”
He continued “I thought we had a lot of chances with our transition in the first period, but their goalie played extremely well and made the saves when he had to.”
Regardless of the team you are cheering for and we know the fans for this game we all for Victoria, they saw the Shamrocks play exceptional.
The Shamrocks watched as Corey Small managed to get four goals and four assists while Rhys Duch netted four goals with three assists.
Daryl Veltman had a pair of tallies and Scott Ranger added a goal and two assists, while Dan Dawson added four assists, while Mitch Jones collected three.
Scoring for the Bellies was Keegan Bal (two goals) and Delta’s Logan Schuss managed one goal and two assists for the ’Bellies in the losing cause.
Bold made the statement early, however, out-shining Eric Penney in the New West net. “Our goaltender was probably the difference,” agreed Shamrocks head coach Bob Heyes. “Sure, it was an 11-3 game, but our goaltender made huge saves when we needed them. If he doesn’t, the game is a lot closer and who knows where it goes.
He played that consistent game and that’s why we brought him here.” On a sour note, the Shamrocks lost Jesse King shortly after the 1-1 goal in the first three minutes of the first period as he rolled his ankle.
The Shamrocks led 4-1 and 7-3 by periods. “That’s a bit of a concern right now, but we have guys who can step in the lineup right away.
That depth will be evident on Monday,” Heyes said of Game 2 on Monday at 6:30 p.m. at Queen’s Park Arena.
CLOVER POINTS: Small won the Shamrocks’ most popular player award as selected by the fans. – See more at: http://www.timescolonist.com/sports/bold-big-as-shamrocks-win-opener-1.2031615#sthash.2WAagZvm.dpuf
