Game 4 of the best-of-seven WLA Finals between the Coquitlam Adanacs and the Victoria Shamrocks took place Friday night at the Poirier Sports Complex. The Adanacs took a 2-1 series lead after a narrow 5-4 win in Game 3 on Wednesday night, and the Shamrocks were looking to even things up with a road win of their own. Marshal King scored four times for Victoria, but it would not be enough as Coquitlam won 8-6 for a 3-1 series lead.
The Adanacs got out to a 2-0 lead when Jalen Chaster scored at 2:58, then assisted Nathan Chalmers (5:52). Luke Pilcher (7:28) and King (8:21) responded for Victoria, but Coquitlam went on a three-goal run later in the period. Riley Isaacs (14:33), Adam Noakes (16:26), and Isaacs again (16:43) gave the Adanacs a 5-2 lead. The second period was quiet by comparison, despite the teams combining for 30 shots on goal in the frame. King scored a shorthanded goal (14:24) for his second of the night, but the Shamrocks still trailed 5-3 heading into the third period.
Adanacs one win away from first Mann Cup appearance since 2007
Victoria continued to press in the third period; however, the Adanacs had an answer for every single push. Kyle Pepper scored 33 seconds in to pull the Shamrocks within one, 5-4. Thomas Semple (5:12) restored a two-goal edge for Coquitlam. King’s hat trick goal (16:37) again cut Victoria’s deficit to one, 6-5. But Brian Simmons would win the faceoff for the Adanacs and feed David Charney (16:45) to give them a 7-5 lead. King then scored his fourth goal of the night (17:27 extra attacker) to narrow the gap to 7-6. Unfortunately for Victoria, they could not find the equalizer, and an empty-net goal form Kean Moon (19:31) sealed the win for Coquitlam.
King (4g) was named 1st Star of the Game. Christian Del Bianco earned 2nd Star honors, making 41 saves in net for the Adanacs. Isaacs (2g, 2a) took home 3rd Star of the Game. With a 3-1 series lead, Coquitlam can advance to the Mann Cup for the first time since 2007 by winning Game 5 on Sunday at The Q Centre in Victoria.
