Victoria Sports Online

The Victoria Shamrocks remain the team to beat in the WLA this season following two more victories this past weekend.

Victoria began the weekend in Burnaby on Friday night and left no questions on who was the better team with a 20-5 drubbing of the Lakers. The final score did not reflect the early part of the game, as Burnaby remained close trailing only 3-2 following the first. But following that, game turned in complete favour of the Rocks as they outscored Burnaby 8-2 in the second and 9-1 in the third.

Lewis Ratcliff once again was the star of the game as he poured in four goals and five assists, while Rhys Duch added five goals and three assists. Shamrocks goalie Aaron Ward had an impressive game, stopping 35 of 40 shots as he picked up his fourth win of the season.

Victoria knew that their second game of the weekend would pose a larger threat then last placed Burnaby and they were right as Maple Ridge took them to the wall in a 13-12 Shamrock victory. The Shamrocks came out slow to start the game, as Maple Ridge lead 4-2 after one. Victoria then turned on the gas in the second coming back to take a 9-8 lead going into the final frame. Victoria remained up 13-11 with under a minute left to play when the Burrards scored to get within one, but that was as close as they could get.

Victoria's offence was lead by Ratcliff with seven points, Luke Wiles with six and Rhys Duch with five. Goalie Nick Patterson who got the night off in their game against Burnaby stopped 45 of 57 shots to gain his seventh win of the season.

With six games left to go in the WLA regular season, Victoria leads the division by five points. The Shamrocks also remain on top of the National Lacrosse Rankings for the fourth consecutive week. With the Mann Cup being played on the west coast this season it is very possible that the Rocks may very well be able to hoist the trophy right here at Bear Mountain Arena come September.

For now, the team is still focused on finishing the WLA season off strong, as they next play host to Coquitlam at Bear Mountain on Wednesday night.