The Victoria Shamrocks opened the WLA playoffs with a convincing 11-4 win over the visiting Nanaimo Timbermen to grab a 1-0 series lead in the best of seven affair. Game 2 of the series is set for Thursday night in Nanaimo.
A strong opening frame which saw the Shamrocks jump out to a 4-1 lead really set the stage for the contest. After Gord Phillips got the Timbermen on the board just over 12 minutes into the 1st, the Shamrocks would rattle off 6 straight goals to take a commanding 8-1 lead late in the 2nd period. Nanaimo would get a couple back before the 2nd period expired off the sticks of Nick Finlay and Ryan Sheridan to cut the Shamrocks lead to 8-3 after 40 minutes.
Any thoughts of a Nanaimo comeback were quickly snuffed out early in the 3rd as Chris Boushy and Marshal King each scored in the first minute of the 3rd period to essentially put the game away.
The Shamrocks got 3 goals and 2 assists on the night from Chris Boushy, while Jesse King also chipped in with 3 goals in the win. Other goal scorers included Graeme Hossack with a pair, while Marshal King, Derek Lloyd, and Connor Robinson each had singles. Tyler Pace had 4 assists on the night as well.
Peter Dubenski stopped 36 of 40 shots earning the win in goal for the Shamrocks, while Charles Claxton took the loss giving up 8 goals on 29 shots before being replaced by Mike DeGirolamo just over halfway through the game.
Special teams weren’t much of a factor on the night as the Shamrocks were 1 for 2 with the man-advantage while Nanaimo was just 0-1.
Game 3 of the series is set for Saturday night at 7:30 pm. Tickets for the game are on sale now online, or in person at the Q Centre box office from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday to Friday. The Q Centre box office will be open at noon on Saturday as well.
Three Stars:
3rd Star: Graeme Hossack (VIC)
2nd Star: Jesse King (VIC)
1st Star: Chris Boushy (VIC)
