With a day off on Sunday, both the Peterborough Lakers and Victoria Shamrocks were rested coming into Game 3 on Monday. While each team had highs and lows, it was the Lakers who came out on top, defeating the Shamrocks 9-8 at The Q Centre. Peterborough now leads the Mann Cup two games to one with two more games in the next two days.
Cory Vitarelli was named Player of the Game for the Lakers as he had two goals and an assist. However, Kyle Buchanan had the best scoring output of any Peterborough player, getting three goals and three assists. It’s Buchanan’s first game with a hat trick since opening night against Brampton back on May 26. Shawn Evans was held scoreless in Game 3 but managed to get five assists. Evans has 15 points this Mann Cup and is one point behind John Grant Jr for second all-time in Mann Cup scoring.
Offensively, Victoria was led by Chris Boushy as he had two goals and three assists. It was a solid night for Tyler Pace and Connor Robinson as they each had four points. Peter Dubenski had another reliable performance for the Shamrocks as he made 47 stops on 56 shots. In three games, Dubes has posted an 8.62 GAA and 0.863 SV% for the Rocks. It was another tough night for Tyler Burton and Ben McCullough in the faceoff dot as they went a combined 6-21 in draws. Burton is winning just .333 of his faceoffs and will need to change that if the Shamrocks want to win Game 4.
Game 4 of the 2019 Mann Cup goes Tuesday night at The Q Centre while Game 5 will be on Wednesday.
