The Victoria Shamrocks (2-0-1) will look to pick up their first road victory of the year Thursday, June 4 when they travel to Queens Park Arena for an early season clash with the New Westminster Salmonbellies (2-1).
Victoria enters the match-up on a two-game winning streak, defeating the Nanaimo Timbermen 15-7 before squeaking out a 7-6 victory over the Coquitlam Adanacs. New Westminster picked up a pair of convincing wins over Coquitlam and the Maple Ridge Burrads, with their lone loss coming in overtime to the Burnaby Lakers.
Veterans Corey Small (11 G, 8 A, 19 PTS) and Rhys Duch (7 G, 7 A,14 PTS) have led the Shamrocks offensively this season. Joining the experienced duo on the offensive attack is rookie Jesse King. The Ohio State University standout, who posted 17 points (8 G, 9 A) as a call-up during the Shamrocks run to the 2013 Mann Cup, has registered 11 points (3 G, 8A) in just two games this season.
New Westminster has also benefited from a youthful offense, as Richard Lachlan, Logan Schuss, and Sean Lundstrom have combined for 29 points three games into the 2014 campaign. Schuss is coming off a impressive rookie season with the National Lacrosse League’s (NLL) Minnesota Swarm in which he led all first-year scorers with 73 points, while Lachlan and Lundstrom each spent time with the Vancouver Stealth.
Between the pipes, Matt Flindell has carried the load for Victoria. Flindell replaces former Shamrock goaltender Matt Vinc, who after leading the team to a Mann Cup appearance in 2013 is now a member of the Peterborough Lakers of Major Series Lacrosse (MSL).
Alexis Buque and Neil Tyacke have split time in net for the Salmonbellies. Buque, a two-time Minto Cup champion with the Whitby Warriors, earned his first victory with his new club after a 33 save performance versus Maple Ridge. Tyacke, who started 17 games for New Westminster last season, turned aside 41 of 48 shots in a win over Coquitlam.
Faceoff for the game is at 7:45 pm PT.
