Shawn Slaght, All Lacrosse All The Time – A Division of the Edge of Philly Sports Network
A third-period rally by the Victoria Shamrocks lifted them to a 12-10 road victory over the New Westminster Salmonbellies on Thursday night at the Queen’s Park Arena.
Jake Foster scored his hat trick goal in the dying minutes for the game-winner. Jacob Ruest scored his third of the game with 1:55 left for the insurance goal.
The win keeps the Shamrocks at the top of the Western Lacrosse Association standings at 4-1, while the Salmonbellies are still trying to find their footing with a 2-4 record.
First period was a game of runs
It didn’t take long for Salmonbellies to prove they weren’t going to roll over for the division-leading Shamrocks. Haiden Dickson scored 345 seconds into the game and added another 1:01 later. Thomas Jeck would score at 3:21 to put New Westminster up 3-0.
Victoria would rebound from the slow start by ending the first period on a four-goal run. Jesse King started off the scoring at the 6:56 mark for the Shamrocks.
Goals from Ruest and Marshal King would tie up the game. Jesse King would beat the buzzer with the extra attacker with one second left on the clock. Make the score 4-3 in favour of Victoria.
Salmonbellies take the lead in the second period
Mitch Jones would tie up the game for the Salmonbellies 8:45 into the second period. Dylan Laprade took the first penalty of the game at 7:22, and Jones would capitalize with the man advantage.
Marshal King continues his tear, second two more goals midway through the period to put the Shamrocks back in the lead 6-4.
Tempers began to flare at 14:52 of the second as Jason Jones of New Westminster and Justyn Gurney for Victoria were sent to the box for roughing.
Mitch Jones would take advantage of the opportunity by finding the back of the net for the Salmonbellies at 15:14.
The Salmonbellies would tie up the game 6-6 as Mitch Jones struck again 20 seconds later. After the whistle, there was more rough stuff. The Salmonbellies’ Drew Belgrave was called for a cross-check which Brad Kri took exception to it and took a roughing call.
Colton Clark scored at 18:53 of the second to put the Salmonbellies back in the lead 7-6. Mitch Jones would round at the four-goal run with 31 seconds left in the period. New Westminster held an 8-6 lead heading into the final frame.
Third-period rally for the Shamrocks
Victoria would tie the game right back up again early in the third period with goals from Marshal King and Foster.
Clark would give the Salmonbellies hope of a possible upset at 3:30 of the third period as New Westminster retook the lead 9-8.
Ruest tied up the game at the 5:13 mark of the period. Foster added another 26 seconds later as the Shamrocks leaped ahead 10-9. However, there was still plenty of lacrosse to play.
Jesse King would take an untimely unsportsmanlike conduct penalty at 7:03. Jordan McBride cashed in 29 seconds into the power play to make it 10-10 with the minutes ticking off the clock in regulation time.
Victoria would show why they are the top team in the league with their third-period rally. Foster potted the game-winner with 3:53 left in the game. Just for good measure, Ruest added the insurance goal with 1:55 left to make the final 12-10.
Pete Dubenski picked up the win between the pipes, stopping 29 of the 39 shots he faced. It was a busy night on the other end of the floor for Zach Higgins. He faced 54 shots.
Three Stars
- Marshal King, Victoria
- Mitch Jones, New Westminster
- Jesse King, Victoria
Top scorers
Victoria Shamrocks
Jesse King, 2g 5a
Marshal King, 4g 2a
Jake Foster, 3g 3a
New Westminster Salmonbellies
Mitch Jones, 4g 5a
Jordan McBride, 1g 4a
Haiden Dickson, 2g 3a
Shawn Slaght has been a sports reporter across the Canadian prairies for over 10 years and has experience covering everything from junior hockey to World Cup skiing to all levels of lacrosse. He is the Saskatchewan correspondent for All Lacrosse All The Time.
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