The Victoria Shamrocks handed the Maple Ridge Burrards their first loss of the season, and grabbed a share of first place in the Western Lacrosse Association (WLA), as the rivals top the standings with six wins and a loss.
On Friday night, June 12, the Burrards journeyed to Vancouver Island, and lost at the Q Centre by an 11-5 score.
The Burrards got back to winning on Sunday night, when they hosted the last-place Burnaby Lakers, and beat them 13-7.
Riley Loewen led the Burrards in Victoria with two goals and an assist, while Declan Fitzpatrick and Carter Linkletter each had a goal and an assist. Reese Barnes also scored.
It was a tough game, with numerous scrums, and some apparent dislike between the two league frontrunners.
The league’s leading scorer Marcus Klarich missed the game, as did this year’s breakout star Payton Cormier, but they were back in the Maple Ridge lineup for Sunday’s game against Burnaby.
Klarich led the scoring with two goals and five assists, captain Tyler Pace had five helpers, while Dagan Carlson had a hat trick and was named the first star of the game. Garret Winter scored two goals and added a helper, while Cormier had a goal and an assist.
Rookie goalie Jack Kask got his league leading sixth win for the Burrards, and contributed on offence with his third assist – which also leads the WLA.
Former Burrard Ethan M’Lot led the Lakers in scoring with three goals and five points.
The Burrards travel to the Langley Events Centre on Wednesday night to face the Thunder.
Then on Sunday night at Cam Neely Arena, they will be up against the Shamrocks for a rematch. That game goes at 5 p.m.