Armstrong Shamrocks shake off Rattlers for two weekend wins, now 4-0

Only a few seconds after killing the penalty and following a scramble in front of the Shamrocks net, Colton Boomer potted a snipe to make the score 2-1 but that was the only lead that the Rattlers would muster for the game as the Shamrocks rattled off three unanswered goals.

The Rattlers were assessed two minor penalties of their own late in the first frame and the Shamrocks capitalized with the special team play when Logan Strohm buried a top cheese shot on a nifty step around play on the crease followed by hard shot from the point by Tyson Fair that dented the hemp to make the score 4-2 after the first period. Shots on goal were 18-11 in favor of the Shamrocks after the first.

The second period was a constant parade to the penalty box that tested the ink in the pen of the scorekeeper. The Rattlers were assessed a roughing minor to Chris Case and that was followed by a double minor to Mike Henry.

With a two-man advantage the Shamrocks lethal power play unit capitalized scoring twice the first on a blistering shot by Jarrett Medhurst around a screen and the second goal from Logan Strohm on a crease shot to make the score 6-2.

There was no let-up in the Rattlers as they slithered their way back into the game notching two goals the first on a delayed penalty by Blaine Boomer and the second by Peterson to cut the lead to 6-4 but Owen Barker stopped the bleeding with a brilliant end-to-end rush snagging the ball in the defensive end then blazing down floor and using a deke-and-dunk fake to beat Rattlers netminder Stu Ford.

The games second star, Riley Peterson, attempted to rally his side with some inspired play and taking advantage of yet another delayed penalty by ripping a shot past Shamrocks keeper Conner Senn and Peterson would notch his fourth of the game with only 5.5 seconds remaining on the clock with a low sub shot to make the score 7-6 after two periods. Shots on goal after the second were 31-24 in favor of the Shamrocks.

During the sandwich session, the veteran leadership on the Shamrocks calmed the bench and refocussed the Irish on the task at hand which was to get back to their game plan of physical defense, winning loose-ball battles and quick transitioning which all seemed to click to start the third period as the Shamrocks potted three straight goals.

The first was on the power play when the game’s third star, Jarret Medhurst, sniped a short-side blast. Barker scored another breakaway after defensive star Carston Schlaak gobbled up a loosey and sent a perfect rainbow outlet down floor to a streaking Barker who capitalized on his chance tallying his hat-trick goal.

Brett Olsen slipped past his defender on a strong pick play and potted a shot after some nice ball movement by Strohm and Clark to make the score 10-6.

Kamloops showed no quit in the evening with Colton Boomer scoring his second of the evening followed by Case.

The bizarre play of the game came midway through the third with the Shamrocks having two men in the box and assessed a third penalty a new CLA rule awarded the Rattlers with a penalty shot. The hot stick of Riley Peterson was awarded the breakaway but Conner Senn was huge and didn’t bite on the Viper fakes and shrugged off the ensuing shot with a brilliant shoulder save to keep the score at 10-8 and quash the momentum of a Rattlers comeback.

The Shamrocks juggernaut defense took over feeling inspired in-front of Senn’s brilliant save on the penalty shot. The Snakes attempted to draw close with their goaltender on the bench in favor of an extra attacker but the gamble didn’t pay off as Shamrocks utility lefty Ethan Dodge picked up a loose ball and despite Ford’s attempt to run back into the net to stop the shot, Dodge buried a quasi-empty net goal to make the final score 11-8.

“It was one of those games where penalties really killed our ability to roll our O and D and run the floor effectively,” said Shamrocks defensive veteran and team president Jamie Cockerill.

“Kamloops have some wicked sticks and big, fast forwards that can make you pay when you give them space and opportunities” added Cockerill.

Shamrocks first star Owen Barker was all smiles after the game.

“Our power play looked good tonight and our D guys pushed the ball up the floor to put pressure on them with our transition most of the night,” said Barker.

Shamrocks captain Steve Clark praised his team for regrouping but admitted they need to clean up the penalties.

“The last two games we’ve taken only a handful of penalties and controlled the games. Tonight we sometimes let our emotions get to us, but that’s lacrosse, and we found a way to win despite being down. We will clean that up moving forward” added Clark.

The Shamrocks continue their home stand when they host the Vernon Tigers (0-3) who battled the defending Rowcliffe Cup and provincial champion Kelowna Raiders (2-1) Friday night and dropped a close game 9-6.

Game time next Friday Night May 3 is 7:30 p.m. at the NorVal Sports Centre.

Boxla Bites:

3 Stars:

1^st Star: Owen Barker

2^nd Star: Riley Peterson

3^rd Star: Jarrett Medhurst

Final Shots on Goal: Armstrong 42 Kamloops 38

Penalties: Armstrong 10 minors 1 major Total 25 mins

Kamloops: 7 minors 2 majors Total 24 mins

Scoring:

Armstrong Shamrocks

Jake Pelletier 3a

Jarrett Medhurst 2g

Carston Schlaak 1a

Logan Strohm 2g 1a

Kyle Versteeg 1a

Brett Olsen 1g

Steve Clark 1g 1a

Ethan Dodge 1g

Derek Miller 1a

Owen Barker 3g 5a

Tyson Fair 1g 1a

Kamloops Rattlers

Chris Finden 1a

Tyler Seabrook 1a

Blaine Boomer 1g 2a

Chris Case 1g 2a

Mike Henry 3a

Riley Peterson 4g 2a

Dan Johnsson 1a

Colten Boomer 2g 1a

Attendance: 225

Sunday, April 28:

On Sunday, Jarrett Medhurst strolled into the historic Kamloops Memorial Arena, — affectionately dubbed ‘The Snake Pit’ — brimming with confidence.

The slick veteran Shamrock has dominated the Rattlers in his senior boxla career in this building on countless occasions and in this past Sunday’s matinee match-up between the Shamrocks and Rattlers, Medhurst perpetuated his dominance with a 7 point performance including 5 goals and two assists to lead the Shamrocks to an impressive 13-4 victory.

The win gave the Shamrocks a perfect 4-0 record to sit atop the Thompson Okanagan Senior Lacrosse League standings.

3 Game Stars (as picked by the author as the Rattlers didn’t select post game stars)

1^st Star Jarret Medhurst

2^nd Star Cam Nelson

3^rd Star Owen Barker

Final Shots on Goal: Armstrong 43 Kamloops 43

Penalties: Armstrong 4 minors for 8 mins Kamloops 10 minors for 20 mins

Scoring:

Armstrong Shamrocks

Jake Pelletier 1g 1a

Jarret Medhurst 5g 2a

Nathan Strohm 1a

Cam Nelson 2a

Jamie Cockerill 1g

Logan Strohm 1g 1a

Kyle Versteeg 1g 2a

Brett Olsen 1g 2a

Steve Clark 2a

Ethan Dodge 1a

Owen Barker 3g 3a

Conner Senn 1a

Carston Schlaak 1a

Kamloops Rattlers

Ben Greaser 1g 1a

Chris Case 2g

Riley Peterson 2a

Doug Conner 1a

Morgan Bloom 1a

Matt Smith 1g

by Armstrong Shamrocks

Armstrong Shamrocks shake off Rattlers for two weekend wins, now 4-0

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