WLA Finals: Shamrocks take series opener

Langley Thunder's Charles Scanlan looks to get a step on his Victoria Shamrocks defender during WLA regular season action on July 24. The Thunder fell 10-8 in Victoria on Aug. 17 in Game 1 of the WLA Finals. The series shifts to Langley Events Centre for Games 2 and 3 on Aug. 19 and 21. Ryan Molag file photo

Three goals in the first 14 minutes proved to be the difference in Game 1 of the Western Lacrosse Association Finals.

The Victoria Shamrocks led 3-1 at the 13:23 mark on Saturday night at Victoria’s Q Centre and while the visiting Langley Thunder traded goals the rest of the way, they could not overtake the No. 1 seed, falling short 10-8 in the first game of the best-of-seven championship series.

The series shifts to Langley Events Centre for Games 2 and 3 on Monday (August 19) and Wednesday (August 21) with both slated to begin at 6:30pm.

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After trailing 3-0, the Thunder responded to trim the deficit to 4-2 after 20 minutes and 7-6 with a period to play. They did tie the score early in the final frame before the Shamrocks closed with three of the last four goals.

Clay Scanlan (3-3) and Connor Robinson (3-2) both had hat tricks for Langley with Chase Scanlan setting up four goals. Charles Scanlan (1-1) and Temeke7 Gottfriedsen (1-0) each scored once. Caleb Khan made 46 saves on 56 shots as Victoria outshot the Thunder 56-44.

Clarke Petterson led the Shamrocks with six assists while Jesse King had three goals and five points as the duo earned the first two stars of the game. Robinson was named the third star.

Chris Origlieri made 36 saves in the Victoria goal.

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