The Coquitlam Adanacs and Victoria Shamrocks met at the Poirier Sports Complex Monday night for Game 2 of the best-of-seven WLA Finals. Victoria narrowly won Game 1 on a shorthanded goal in the final minute of regulation, rallying from a one-goal deficit in the third period. Coquitlam would repay the favor in Game 2, scoring three goals in the third period after Victoria broke a 5-5 tie to win 8-6, tying the series at 1-1.
Stellar goalie play as Adanacs, Shamrocks even through two periods
Brodie Wade opened the scoring for the Shamrocks at 3:49. Thomas Semple (6:02) leveled the game for Coquitlam, but Mathieu Gautier (12:17) would restore the lead for Victoria. Late goals from Adam Noakes (16:38) and Laszlo Henning (17:58) put the Adanacs up 3-2 after one period of play.
Chris Wardle (5:42 second period) tied the game at 3-3 before a power play goal from Jalen Chaster (7:49) put Coquitlam back in the lead. Markers form Ari Stevens (11:32) and Patrick Dodds (13:23) put Victoria up 5-4. However, Kean Moon scored a power play goal with 14 seconds left, tying the game 5-5 going into the third period.
Coquitlam rallies in third period to tie series 1-1
The Shamrocks took a 6-5 lead when Zach Manns scored (1:08) to open the third period. Coquitlam would then put together a three-goal run to finish the game. Semple scored his second (9:49) to tie the game, then Noakes his second (11:41 power play) to give the Adanacs the lead. Parker Kennedy added an insurance goal (13:58) for the 8-6 final.
The Adanacs outshot the Shamrocks 53-44, and had only four penalty minutes to Victoria’s 12. Goaltender Christian Del Bianco (38 saves) was named 1st Star of the Game for Coquitlam, and Semple (2g) earned 2nd Star honors. 3rd Star of the Game went to Victoria goaltender Chris Origlieri (45 saves). Game 3 will be Wednesday night at The Q Centre in Victoria.
