Rick Stiebel/News Gazette staff
A fast start by the Maple Ridge Burrards was too much for the visiting Victoria Shamrocks to overcome in a 10-9 loss Tuesday.
The Burrards scored the first four goals of the game on the way to a 4-2 lead and 18-13 shot advantage in the first period, with Victoria goals by Josh Fagan and Casey Jackson cutting Maple Ridge’s early lead in half in the final two minutes.
The Burrards came out strong to start the second, scoring goals by Luke Gillespie and Mike Mallory early on to restore the four-goal margin.
The Shamrocks responded once again with two goals by Corey Small - the second his league-leading 24th - to start a three-goal run that included a goal by rookie Matt Hamilton in less than two minutes.
The Burrards answered with scores by Jeff Cornwall and Tom Johnson to put Maple Ridge back up by two before Fagan twice trimmed the lead to one. Jackson’s second of the night tied the game at eight in the final minute of the second, where the Shamrocks outscored Maple Ridge by a margin of six to four.
Small’s hat trick goal at 8:31 of the third gave the Shamrocks their first lead of the game, but Ben McIntosh scored the equalizer at the 11:10 mark.
Riley Loewen sealed the deal for the Burrards moments later, firing the winner past Cody Hagedorn with 5:54 remaining in the game. Burrards keeper Brandon Mulligan earned the win in relief of starter Frank Scigliano.
The Shamrocks will try to get back on the winning track tonight (June 30) against the Nanaimo Timbermen. The game, presented by View Royal Casino, starts at 7:30 p.m. at The Q Centre. Call 250-478-7625 or visit victoriashamrocks.com for tickets.
reporter@goldstreamgazette.com