The Intermediate ‘A’ Shamrocks defeated the visiting Nanaimo Timbermen on a rare weeknight game Tuesday, jumping out to a 7-1 first-period lead and coasting to a 12-6 victory.  That is their eighth straight win after a 1-4 start, giving them a 9-4 record on the season.

Starting goaltenders were Jared Jackson for the Timbermen and Cory Mayzes for the ‘Rocks.  Victoria got on the board first at the 54-second mark when Raj Allen had a clear shot to the net from the slot.  At 3:01 Kurtis Green scored a power play marker with another hard shot that was a little too hot for Jackson to handle, although he did get a piece of it.  Oliver Phillips made it 3-0 at 5:05 when Jackson went for a walk, leaving the net wide open after a scrum in front of the net.  That goal chased Jackson from the net in favour of Armin Grewal but only until play re-started at which point Jackson went back in and allowed the Rocks’ fourth goal of the game at 5:59 off the stick of Jamie Sorenson.  James Spence then lit the lamp going glove side, just inside the post, that goal coming at 9:58.  That signaled the end of the night for Jackson as Grewal returned to the nets for the remainder of the contest.  He held the ‘Rocks off the board for almost 7 minutes before Spence capitalized on the team’s quick transition game, scoring at 17:41.  Off the ensuing faceoff Dylan Lefebvre utilized his speed and at 17:45 the Shamrocks were up by a 7-0 score.  Nanaimo finally managed to solve Mayzes at the other end of the floor, scoring a short-handed goal at 18:57.

The middle frame was a much tighter battle with each team scoring twice.  The home team restored the 7-goal lead at 6:18 with Green hammering home his second of the game.  That goal came right after a good Nanaimo 4-minute penalty kill.  The T’Men replied at 12:56, Devon Casey getting a power play goal at 12:56.  The ‘Rocks then got some action out of their short-man team when LeFebvre notched his second of the game at 15:09 after some great patience and ragging.  Nanaimo closed out the scoring with Casey getting his second of the game with just 21 seconds left on the clock, putting the ball overy Mayzes’ shoulder.  The score after 40 minutes was Victoria 9 – Nanaimo 3.

In period three the teams split 6 goals as the Shamrocks appeared to lose intensity for a period of time, throwing the ball away at times.  Nanaimo started off the scoring at 5:23 as they had their goaltender on the bench for an extra attacker trying to get all the offense they could.  Paul Brebber picked up the ball off the end boards and found twine.  The Shamrocks went on a 3-goal spree starting at 6:58 when Brody Eastwood  scored on a power play at 6:58.  Another power play goal by Green, his hat trick goal, at 8:25, this time with a 5-on-3 advantage had the home team up by 7 again.  Victoria’s 12^th goal came off the stick of team captain Jason Gregg at 10:47, a shot from a bad angle that eluded Grewal.  The visitors then went on the attack with the goaltender going to the bench on most possessions for an extra attacker.  They were rewarded with a pair of goals, the first at 18:27 from Casey, his third of the game and the final goal of the game scored at the buzzer.

Kurtis Green led the Shamrocks with a hat trick and 3 helpers for a 6-point night.  Dyan Lefebvre and James Spence each scored twice with singles coming from Jamie Sorensen, Rajin Allen, Jason Gregg, Oliver Phillips and Brody Eastwood who also contributed 3 helpers.  Ethan Garland chipped in 4 assists, Jesse King two, and Shea Wakefield 3 assists as well as doing some great penalty killing.  Goaltender Cory Mayzes had another strong game between the pipes to pick up the win.

The only Nanaimo player to score a multiple was Devon Casey who had a hat trick and 1 assist.  Paul Brebber and Adam Backular-Evens had singles (and I’m not sure about the final goal of the game).  It was definitely an uphill battle for the visitors after they got down by 7 in the first period but they should get ‘A’ for effort as they matched Victoria goal for goal through the final 40 minutes.

Next action for the Baby Rocks comes on Saturday, June 20 when they will host the Delta Islanders at Bear Mountain Arena.  Game time is 1:30 pm.  Stick around after that and watch the Jr. Shamrocks as they host the first-place Coquitlam Adanacs at 5:00.