The Maple Ridge Burrards lost their first matchup with the always tough Victoria Shamrocks on Sunday by a score of 12-10.
It was a rematch of last year’s league championship series, but coach Rob Williams said his Burrards didn’t show a lot of urgency until the third period, which they entered trailing 10-6. They made up some of the difference, but couldn’t complete a comeback.
Victoria was whistled for 45 minutes in penalties on 17 infractions, and the improved Burrards power play scored six goals in 16 attempts to make them pay.
The Shamrocks went two-for-seven with the man advantage, but won the game five-on-five.
Mike Mallory had four goals and seven points to lead the Burrards, while Owen Barker had four goals and six points.
The goals give Mallory a league leading 14 on the season, and Williams said he has been a warrior for the Burrards so far this season.
Coady Adamson had a strong game, with a goal and four assists for five points.
The Burrards did a good job on league scoring leader Corey Small, holding him to two goals and an assist.
Victoria’s Rhys Duch got his share of points, with three goals and four assists.
Williams said Victoria had most of their roster, while he was still “patching things together” as he waits for key players returning from the NLL playoffs.
The Coquitlam Adanacs had beaten the Shamrocks on Saturday by a score of 7-6, showing the parity in the WLA.
The Burrards are tied with the Burnaby Lakers for second place in the league at 3-2, while Victoria leads the circuit with a record of 5-1.
With key players returning from the NLL, including offensive stars Ben McIntosh and Dan Taylor, the lineup should be looking like the one the Burrards were counting on to get them back into contention this season.
The Burrards will be in Nanaimo’s Frank Crane Arena to face the Timbermen this Friday. Then on Sunday they will host the still winless Langley Thunder at 6:45 p.m. at Cam Neely Arena.