Pre Season Action on the Island

With most teams wrapping up training camps and focusing on the season ahead, Juan de Fuca Arena was the site of the 3rd annual Georgia Cup between the Victoria Shamrocks and 'new' Langley Thunder on Saturday- and a preview of the 2009 season opener with Victoria hosting the Timbermen on Easter Sunday. Here is a look at the matches:

April 11 - Shamrocks 16 - Thunder 6
Defending the British Columbia Junior A Lacrosse League championship, and winning the first two Georgia Cup titles, had the Victoria Shamrocks ready and waiting for Langley to cross the water and roll into town.

A strong start was needed for both squads in order to set the tone of this first pre season game, and Victoria rose to the challenge and pounded off eight goals in the first frame- the first coming just half a minute after the opening whistle. Mitch Dibblee got the visiting Thunder on the board but his team went into the first break down by a score of 8-2.

Halfway through the second both sides gave their starting goalies a rest. Mike Lowe was replaced by Devon Winters for Langley, and Victoria brought in their other eastern netminder when Adam Hickey came in for Greg Krstic; both goalies making their western debut for the Shamrocks.

After a few more goals the rough stuff started with Victoria losing Scott Stone to a game misconduct after a scrap between Langley's Colton Hayes and Victoria's Tyler Archer. The physical tone carried through the rest of the game and the Shamrocks didn't let up their lead- finishing the game 16-6.

Even with the loss Langley stepped up to the physical challenge of the game and managed to get six different players scoring each of their goals. Victoria rookie Casey Jackson had an impressive night with 4 goals and 3 helpers, with seven other Shamrocks potting goals on the evening.

April 12 - Timbermen 10 - Shamrocks 9
Riding high after their win the night previous, Victoria hosted the Nanaimo Timbermen on Easter Sunday which is a preview of the 2009 season opener just two weeks away on April 24th.

As they did on Saturday the Shamrocks started the game strong scoring two quick goals, the first coming from rookie Casey Jackson who had a seven point night on Saturday. Kyle Hofer was the first Nanaimo player to score with Kyle Noble following suit to tie it up, but Victoria would head into the first break ahead by a score of 4-2.

The second was a more evenly matched style of play between the two teams, when the Shamrocks would score Nanaimo would answer back quickly. Just like the game the previous night, rough undisciplined play would spell trouble. Victoria was the team to waiver control, and succumbed to penalty trouble late in the period but still managed to maintain a 7-5 lead into the third.

In a game where power shifted back and forth between the two teams, the third period was a completely different ball game and the T-Men weren't messing around. Nanaimo doubled their goal tally in the third, scoring five and holding Victoria to just two.

The most important part of the victory for the T-Men was the psychological achievement against their Island rival. Riley Donahue and Kyle Hofer would score hat tricks for the visitors, and Riley Donahue had three helpers and a goal to lead the Timbermen in scoring for the pre season game.

The next time these two teams face each other will be on Friday April 24th to open the BCJALL season in Nanaimo and officially begin the 2009 Island rivalry!