What a Weekend

Friday Night

As of Friday, Victoria was still the only undefeated team in the BCJALL. So far the Shamrocks have been the team working the best as a complete package. Utilizing the power play to its highest potential, coupled with an intense offensive execution and smart defensive work, has made Victoria the force to reckon with.

Nanaimo came into the match with a 1-2 record, their victory last Sunday was very impressive- handing the Saints their first loss of the year. It seems the win ignited something in the Timbermen and by the second period they were all tied up at five goals with Victoria.

The third period was stacked with action as Nanaimo's Cody Bremner positively unleashed on Shamrock goalie Rob McAllan. Bremner scored all five of the Timbermen's goals in the final frame. The lead flip-flopped back and forth between both teams but in the end the score was deadlocked at ten.

As per usual Victoria's captain Cayle Ratcliff led the charge ending the night with four goals and three helpers, but it was Kory Kowalyk who was the OT hero for the 'Rocks scoring at 13:44 with a great pass from Joel Henry. Including the coveted game winning goal Kowalyk ended the match with a hat trick and three assists.

Even as a loss Nanaimo did a great job to step up and play at Victoria's level. Shots were almost even- 50 for Nanaimo and 49 for Victoria, each team had two power play goals and one short handed, and Nanaimo edging the Shamrocks 13 to 11 in winning face-offs.

For the most part, the rivalry between these two island teams is dominated by the older, more experienced Shamrocks; but with games like this one, the level of intensity is a welcomed addition for all fans watching.

Saturday
With Nanaimo's win over Poco boosting their spirits, the opposite affect followed the Saints who played in Ladner on Saturday against the Islanders.

Delta's two wins this season have come at the expense of the struggling South Fraser Stickmen, this weekend the Islanders hoped to prove they can match up against teams that are above them in the standings.

Even though Poco held a narrow 6-5 lead going into the final period, again it was the third frame that would decide the game.

Two quick goals from Mitchell Jones put the Islanders ahead for the first time in the game, but Darcy Cummings answered back for the Saints for his second goal of the match. The teams played at a tie for five minutes and then Carlton Schuss set up Dane Stevens for the game winning goal. It was an intense last four minutes of the game for Delta after getting called for slashing and high sticking, but the Islanders held the Saints power play off.

Delta's win boosts them up two spots in the standings to fifth place, and there will be a chance for Poco to even up the season series quite soon as these two teams face each other again this Friday in Port Coquitlam.

It was a double-header on Sunday with both the Island teams making a trip to the mainland; Nanaimo played in Burnaby, and Victoria took on the Salmonbellies at Queen's Park.

I'm no Nostradamus but I'm calling it right here right now- Alex Gajic to lead scoring in the BCJALL for 2008, and Joe Vetere to lead in assists. These two have been unstoppable on the floor so far, and I predict no slow down anytime soon. The deadly duo combined for 19 points in the game against the Timbermen, and both were involved in thirteen of the Lakers seventeen scoring plays. Ridiculous.

As was the case Victoria game, Timberman Cody Bremner had another leading game with three goals and one helper, and teammate Colton Clark looked sharp with a hat trick and two assists.

But it just wasn't enough of a match-up for the Lakers who overwhelmed Nanaimo in all areas in all three periods. The only surprise of this game was the face there was no special teams offence; no short handed or power play goals at all. Both teams made use of both their goalies in this game. Nanaimo's Rob Pierson was relieved by Sam Corcoran with five minutes to go in the second, and Tom Wray started and ended the game for Burnaby, and Brandon Smith made a brief appearance in the middle frame.

Final score from Bill Copeland was 17-8 for the Lakers and left them two points behind Victoria at the top of the standings.

Sunday
Game two on Sunday was at Queens Park to see the undefeated Shamrocks take on the New West Salmonbellies who were sitting even at two wins and two losses.

After a fight and some unsportsmanlike calls, New West managed to keep Victoria scoreless and went into the second with a 3-0 lead.

Joel Henry got the 'Rocks on the board five minutes into the second with a power play goal and Cayle Ratcliff followed with a goal of his own a couple of minutes later; but Max Gallant capitalized with the man advantage to keep New West ahead.

The third wasn't too exciting, only one lone penalty called against 'Bellie TJ Cowx for slashing with five minutes to go; and with a couple more goals from Ryan McKay and Tyler Digby, New West took the 6-3 win and brought Victoria back to reality- handing them their first loss of the season.

All in all, a great weekend for BCJALL action with all the ingredients needed for thrilling match-ups to keep the fans coming back; and there's still two months left.