The Victoria Shamrocks buried their Island rivals under a third-period barrage Sunday night – torching the Nanaimo Timbermen 12-7 at The Q Centre in Colwood to snap a two-game winless streak.
Back on home floor after a tough 12-9 loss to the undefeated New Westminster Salmonbellies on Thursday, the Shamrocks bounced back with a fast-paced, physical performance in front of 2,232 fans.
The win lifts Victoria to 5-1-1 on the season, including two wins over the Timbermen.
After the two sides traded blows early, it was Victoria’s depth that broke things open.
Victoria-product and Saskatchewan Rush forward Zach Manns and Patrick Dodds struck midway through the first, but a five-minute boarding major gave Nanaimo life.
Luke Pilcher and Mason Pynn capitalized to tie things up 2-2 before the teams traded late goals – Marshal King for Victoria and Ryan Sheridan for Nanaimo – to end the first at 3-3.
The Shamrocks began to pull away in the second, outscoring the Timbermen 4-2 behind goals from Dodds, Manns, King and Andrew Kew. Sheridan and Brenden Doyle kept the visitors within reach, but Victoria carried a two-goal edge heading into the final 20.
That’s when the floodgates opened.
Victoria exploded for four straight goals in just over five minutes – Dodds, Manns, Kew and Cole Pickup all converting – to blow the game wide open at 11-5.
Tyson Nielsen snapped the run for Nanaimo, but King completed his hat trick on a late powerplay to restore the six-goal cushion. Pynn added a late tally for the Timbermen, but the damage was already done.
Cam Dunkerley got the nod in net and delivered for Victoria, turning aside 41 of 48 shots, instead of Chris Origlieri – the Western Lacrosse Association (WLA) leader in both goals-against average and save percentage – who got the night off.
Through seven games, the Shamrocks have allowed just 51 goals – the fewest in the league – while boasting balanced scoring up front. Seven players have already cracked double digits in points, with King leading the way at 24 in just five appearances.
Victoria has now taken both games in the season series with Nanaimo, including a 9-6 win at Frank Crane Arena back on May 31. The Island rivals meet once more on July 2 in Colwood.
Nanaimo now sits 1-6-0 on the season with two points, tied for last place in the WLA alongside the Burnaby Lakers.
Before then, the Shamrocks return to action Friday, June 20, for a top-of-the-table showdown against the 5-1-1 Coquitlam Adanacs – a marquee matchup with playoff implications looming.
