Rocks Move to 4-0 Following Big Weekend
The Victoria Shamrocks are well on their way to a very successful 2009 campaign, as the team is still undefeated following three victories over the past weekend.
In their first game of the week on Thursday, The Shamrocks went on the road and defeated New Westminster 13-8. Victoria scored six goals in both the first and third periods and had solid goaltending from Nick Patterson who stopped 38 shots in the win. Rhys Duch had 3 goals and 5 assists to lead Victoria.
Thursday's win definitely sent a message to New Westminster that the Shamrocks are not the same team they swept in the first round of last year's playoffs.
Victoria then returned home to play Burnaby on Friday, as the Shamrocks destroyed the Lakers 14-4. The Shamrocks outshot Burnaby 53-32 while not allowing more than two goals in any one period. Eight Victoria players had at least 2 points, lead by Lewis Ratcliff with 7 and Rhys Duch with 5.
The Shamrocks took their show on the road once again on Sunday, as the team ventured to Maple Ridge to battle the Burrards. Victoria stormed out to a 5-1 lead after one period, but Maple Ridge battled back to make it 6-5 after two. The Burrards then tied the game early in the third only to have Victoria score three consecutive goals to put the game out of reach in an eventual 9-7 final. Lewis Ratcliff was the player of the game for the Shamrocks, as Ratcliff tallied 2 goals and 4 assists for 6 points.
On top of their three victories over the weekend, Victoria forward Lewis Ratcliff was named WLA Player of the Week with 6 goals and 11 assists over the three games.
Victoria now leads the WLA standings by a game over New Westminster. The Shamrocks will next play against New West at Bear Mountain Arena this Friday night in an early season first place showdown.
