The Victoria Shamrocks hope “Dangerous” Dan Dawson continues to live up to his nickname as the team defends its Western Lacrosse Association title.
In his first game with the ‘Rocks since signing back in March, the big runner scored the winning goal in a see-saw game with 17 seconds to play, giving Victoria a 12-11 win over the Maple Ridge Burrards.
The 33-year-old Dawson, whose Rochester Knighthawks fell just short of playing for another Champions Cup in the National Lacrosse League last month, made an immediate impact in his second go-round with the Shamrocks, scoring three goals and setting up three to earn first-star honours.
His impact began even before that, however, says head coach Bob Heyes.
“Dan was at practice on the Wednesday before the game and guys knew that he was there. It brought a jump to everybody’s step,” he says.
On Friday as the Burrards chipped away at what was, at one point, a 9-4 Victoria lead, the usually soft-spoken Dawson reminded his new teammates that it was just going to be “one of those games where it’s going to take a full, 60-minute effort,” Heyes said.
While the six-foot-five Dawson adds another weapon to an already potent Shamrocks arsenal, the coach added, “Dan just brings that presence … He brings experience and that depth we’re looking for. He’s a superstar in this sport.”
The home fans at The Q Centre don’t get a chance to see Dawson in action again at home until June 19, when the Shamrocks (3-2) host the Coquitlam Adanacs. But he and his teammates are in Langley tonight (June 10) for a key matchup against what may be a tired Thunder team.
Langley will be coming off a Tuesday night game against Maple Ridge (played after Gazette deadline).
Clover patch … Rhys Duch, who also had six points in the Friday win, entered this week’s WLA play as leading scorer with 20 points overall. Teammates Cory Conway and Corey Small sat tied for second with 18 points each, while Small led the league with nine goals.