Deadlocked

Submitted by League Reporter, Jen Mutas

Photos supplied by Paul Sparrow

There may have been three games difference between New West (3gp), and Victoria (6gp), but the two teams were neck and neck in the standings in the fourth and fifth spots (respectively) before their game Sunday night at Queen's Park Arena.

The Shamrocks took control in the first period, jumping on as many fast break opportunities as they could to catch New West off guard. Even with Victoria goaltender Adam Hickey breaking his stick inside the first seven minutes he managed well with the adjustment to wood and then back to plastic. With their four goals in the first including two from Blair Pinnock, the ‘Rocks would head into the break with a 4-1 lead over the ‘Bellies.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="400"] On a night of solid goaltending by both teams, Victoria's Casey Jackson still manages to one time it by 'Bellies tender Frank Scigliano.[/caption]

On paper this looked to be a first period to forget for the ‘Bellies. In their three previous games they averaged scoring 5.6 goals and 17 shots on net in the first periods alone. Tonight their only goal in the first period was with the man advantage, and Victoria outshot them 16-6 in the opening twenty minutes. The bright spot for the ‘Bellies would have to be playing from behind for two periods and managing to come back and get at least a point out of the game. Obviously maintaining their first and second period performance for a win would have been better for the ‘Rocks, but they shouldn’t be too disappointed only getting the one point either, as they kept high scoring New West to under ten goals and made them work hard to come back.