Zach Manns scored the game-winner late in the third period as the Victoria Shamrocks edged the New Westminster Salmonbellies 6–5 on Friday night, handing them their second straight loss.
Victoria’s win shakes up the top of the WLA standings. The Shamrocks now sit in first place at 8–1, while the Coquitlam Adanacs move into second at 8–2–1. In just two nights, New Westminster dropped from first to third with a record of 8–2.
Much like the night before against Coquitlam, the Salmonbellies couldn’t hold a late lead. After going on a five-goal run to take a 5–4 advantage, they gave up two goals in the third.
The Shamrocks spread the offence around, with six different players scoring. Manns led the way with a goal and two assists. Chris Origlieri got the start in goal and stopped 37 of 42 shots in the win.
Jacob Ruest led the Salmonbellies with two goals, while Jake Govett chipped in with a pair of assists. Justin Geddie was solid in net for New Westminster, turning away 49 of 55 shots.
Shamrocks Off to a Quick Start
Victoria capitalized on New Westminster playing on back-to-back nights, jumping out to a 4–0 lead.
Brodie Wade opened the scoring with a shorthanded goal at 2:54. Tyler Burton followed with an unassisted marker at 8:30. Jesse King made it 3–0 at 12:58, and Mathieu Gautier capped the run just 18 seconds later.
Will Malcom got the Salmonbellies on the board at 14:15 to spark a five-goal run that stretched across the first and second periods. Ruest rounded out the first-period scoring at 15:27 to cut the deficit to 4–2.
Salmonbellies Take the Lead
The second period remained scoreless until Haiden Dickson found the back of the net at 7:48 to pull New Westminster within one. Geddie stopped all 19 shots he faced in the frame.
Ruest tied the game at 4–4, and off the ensuing faceoff, Tyrell Hamer-Jackson won the draw and Preston Lupul scored just six seconds later to give the Salmonbellies a 5–4 lead heading into the third.
Shamrocks Come From Behind
Origlieri shut the door in the third, stopping all 10 shots he faced. Patrick Dodds tied the game at 9:21, and Manns netted the winner on the power play with 7:25 remaining after New Westminster’s Zac Masson was called for holding.
It wasn’t the buzzer-beater finish from the night before, but Manns’ goal stood as the game-winner, giving Victoria the 6–5 victory and handing New Westminster their second straight loss.
Top Scorers
Victoria Shamrocks
- Zach Manns: 1G, 2A
- Marshal King: 2A
- Mathieu Gautier: 1G, 1A
- Patrick Dodds: 1G, 1A
New Westminster Salmonbellies
- Jacob Ruest: 2G
- Jake Govett: 2A
Three Stars
- Zach Manns – Victoria Shamrocks
- Drew Belgrave – New Westminster Salmonbellies
- Mathieu Gautier – Victoria Shamrocks
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