Shamrocks hold off Saints

 After a tough loss to the Langley Thunder at home on Saturday evening, the Victoria Shamrocks had to get on the ferry to take on the Port Coquitlam Saints the very next day.

The Shamrocks got on the board first when ColtenMerilainen beat Saints’ goaltender AndrewGallant to make it 1-0 just over 5 minutes into the game. The Shamrocks took a 2-0 lead a few minutes later when EddieSmith scored, but the Saints cut the lead to 1 when KeeganBell scored half way through the first period.

The pace of the game seemed to die down a little in the second half of the first period as there was minimal shots on net and only one more goal would be scored as it was DanielSmith for the Shamrocks, giving the ‘Rocks a 3-1 lead heading into the second period.

Both teams woke up for the second period and it all started with some pushing and shoving just over 3 minutes into the period. With Shamrocks’ BradMcCulley and NickPreston serving holding and roughing penalties and the Saints only getting one roughing penalty, the Saints cut the ‘Rocks lead to 1 when GregLunde scored on the powerplay.

The Shamrocks were determined to keep that two-goal lead, but the Saints would not go away. MatthewHamilton made it 4-2 for the ‘Rocks, but that two-goal lead became one again when ParkerKump scored with 9:51 remaining in the second period.

You could’ve guessed it, but the Shamrocks took a two-goal lead again with 8:35 left, but the Saints were finally to even the game up. LiamThomas scored with 5:14 to go and then on the powerplay, which was BradMcCulley’s third penalty of the period, DylanFoulds scored on the powerplay to make it at 5-5 game. However, the final 3 minutes of the period played out in favour of the Shamrocks as they ended up scoring two more and the Saints netting one to make it 7-6 Shamrocks.

The third period played out quite similar to the second period. The ‘Rocks regained their two goal lead early in the third period. Saints’ Bell scored with 8:01 remaining in the game to make it a 8-7 game, but the Shamrocks simply wouldn’t let up as TylerMace scored with 7:11 left on the clock.

Bell didn’t make it any easier on the Saints. With a roughing and two slashing penatlies called with 6:29 remaining, you would think the ‘Rocks would get a goal or two on the powerplay and call it a game, but that wasn’t Foulds’ plan. Foulds scored shorthanded to make it a 9-8 game.

With 2:12 left, Shamrocks\' goaltender MitchellGurney scored a rare one, of course, empty netter, to make it 10-8 ‘Rocks, but surely, it wasn’t time to leave the Poco Rec Centre. Bell made up for his penalties with 1:19 left to cut the ‘Rocks lead to one again, but Hamilton finally sealed the game when he scored with 47 seconds to go as the Shamrocks stuck to their game for a full 60 minutes, beating the Saints 11-9.

 

THREE STARS OF THE GAME

1. Victoria - Cole Pickup - 1 goal, 5 assists

2. Port Coquitlam - Keegan Bell - 4 goals, 1 assist

3. Victoria - Mitchell Gurney - 42 saves, 9 goals allowed, 1 goal

 

The Saints will be back in action when they visit the New Westminster Salmonbellies on Tuesday night and the Shamrocks will host the Burnaby Lakers on Saturday evening.