Jacob Hickey Scores Game-Winner as Shamrocks Take Game 1 of WLA Finals

Shawn Slaght

I've been a professional journalist since 2005 and I've covered sports across Saskatchewan and Alberta including World Cup Alpine Skiing, national and world curling championships and junior hockey. I've been cover lacrosse and the Saskatchewan Rush since 2017.

August 16, 2026

*Photo credit: Western Lacrosse Association on Facebook*

Jacob Hickey scored with 43 seconds remaining in regulation as the Victoria Shamrocks picked up a 7-6 win over the Coquitlam Adanacs on Saturday night in Game 1 of the WLA Championship Final.

The Adanacs overcame a three-goal deficit to take a 6-5 lead late in the second period. However, Zach Manns scored 47 seconds into the third to tie the game before Hickey scored the game-winner.

Both goaltenders were outstanding. Christian Del Bianco stopped 45 of 52 shots, including all 20 he faced in the second period for Coquitlam. Chris Origlieri stopped 35 of 41 shots, including all 13 he faced in the third period.

Victoria was led by Chris Wardle with two goals. Meanwhile, Manns, Marshal King and Eli McLaughlin each had a goal and an assist.

The Adanacs were led by Kyle Brunsch with three assists. Sean Kriwokon and Adam Noakes each had two goals, while Kean Moon had a goal and an assist.

First Period

The Shamrocks jumped out to an early lead, scoring twice in the opening 6:54.

King opened the scoring with the first shot of the game, just 26 seconds in, followed by Wardle’s first of the night at 6:54.

The Adanacs answered back with Moon finding the back of the net at 14:10. However, Wardle scored his second of the night 38 seconds later to make it 3-1.

Noakes made it a one-goal game at 15:41, but Victoria regained control late in the period.

Eli McLaughlin made it 4-2 with 2:03 left, and Brodie Wade scored just before the buzzer to give the Shamrocks a 5-2 lead heading into the first intermission.

Second Period

The Adanacs came storming back in the second period, scoring four unanswered goals.

Thomas Semple cut the deficit to 5-3 just 1:10 into the period before Kriwokon scored 50 seconds later to make it a one-goal game.

After a long scoreless stretch, Noakes tied the game at 16:56, assisted by Brunsch and Riley Isaacs.

Kriwokon then scored his second of the period just 32 seconds later, giving Coquitlam its first lead of the night, 6-5, heading into the third period.

Third Period

The Shamrocks wasted little time tying the game in the final frame.

Manns scored just 47 seconds into the third, converting a setup from McLaughlin and King to make it 6-6.

With the Shamrocks down a man late in the game, Jacob Hickey scored on a solo shorthanded effort with 43 seconds left on the clock to give Victoria a 7-6 win.

The Shamrocks take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven championship series.