WLA Final’s – Nail Bitter To End

The Shamrocks traveled to Maple Ridge for game 2 against the Burrards in hopes of evening the series at one game each following the 11-9 loss at the Q Ccntre two nights prior.

The Burrards went with “king-pin” Frankie Scigliano, while the Shamrocks started Adam Shute, which was no disrespect to Cody Hagedorn, who took the loss in game one.

Maple Ridge kicked off the scoring while on the PP, which saw McIntosh find the twine at 4:49.

Taking things in stride saw Zack Porter make it 2-0 at 10:12 sending one over Shute’s shoulder only to see the Shamrocks Jon Harnett get one at 16:11 pulling the “Rocks” within one.

At 17:01, Shamrocks Captain Corey Small evened the scoring at 17:01 with a bullet from 40 feet out and that finished the scoring in the first ending in a 2-2 draw with Victoria outshooting the Burrards 18-9.

The teams traded a total of 11 goals in the second period, but it was Ridge that jumped out first (2:49) with McIntosh getting his second of the contest.

Victoria’s Captain Corey Small managed to reply with a pair, the first at 4:31 as he took a high jump in front of the crease putting the ball over Scigliano at 5:36, giving the Rocks the lead for the first time.

Burrards Dan Taylor replied at 7:11 with an overhand shot that I thought was screened from my point of view.

This goal was short-lived as Shamrocks Jeff Shattler replied 10 seconds after Taylor’s goal, but McIntosh picked up his hat trick goal at 8:09 tying the score at 5.

Shattler regained the lead at 8:30 while Conway added another at 11:03 from just inside the dotted line.

The Burrards went on a 3-goal run prior to the end of the period, with one being a PP marker with Mike Mallory getting the Burrards within one.

This seemed to be questioned by both referee’s as it took a minute to decide if that was in, but eventually it was added to the score-sheet.

Taylor added a pair (second and third) prior to the end of period two, with the Burrards holding one-goal lead after two, which had the shots even at 19 each.

The third saw a goaltending change for the Shamrocks putting Cody Hagedorn in to replace Adam Shute for the final 20 minutes.

Junior Shamrocks call-up Braylon Lumb got evened the score at 1:24 into the period, with Shattler grabbing a pair, putting the Shamrocks in control.

Mallory of the Burrards got one at 7:50, but clearly it was Victoria who controlled the rest of the period.

Conway got his second of the night at 16:24, which allowed the Shamrocks to kill off as much time as possible.

Hagedorn faced only just 8 shots but made huge saves at crucial times making sure there was no chance of a comeback.

Jeff Shattler led Victoria’s attack with 4 goals and 3 assists while Rhys Duch had 6 assists as they were named first and third stars respectively.

The Shamrocks also got the hat trick and 2 helpers from Corey Small and 2 goals and 2 assists from Cory Conway.  Singles came off the sticks off Braylon Lumb and Jon Harnett.

 Burrards Dan Taylor notched 3 goals and 3 helpers earning second star of the night.

Ben McIntosh had the hat trick and 2 helpers while Mike Mallory had 2 goals and 3 assists in the losing cause.

Game 4 is played Tuesday August 30th in Planet Ice at 7:45 PM

For more info please visit http://www.wlalacrosse.com/