Shamrocks get back into first-round series with Langley Thunder

VICTORIA 10 LANGLEY 3 (Thunder lead series 2-1)

Rumours of the Victoria Shamrocks demise have been greatly exaggerated.

Led by first star Pete Dubenski’s 38 saves, the Shamrocks rolled over the Langley Thunder 10-3 in Game 3 on Tuesday night at the Langley Events Centre. The Thunder lead the Western Lacrosse Association first-round series 2-1 with Game 4 going Thursday night at The Q Centre.

The Shamrocks, knowing they would be in big trouble if they went down 3-0 in the series against a Thunder team that was riding a seven-game winning streak, came flying out of the gate Tuesday, jumping out to a 5-0 lead early in the second period. And after a power-play goal by Langley’s Connor Robinson, Victoria poured in three more goals to put the game out of reach.

Cole Pickup and Brad McCulley led the Shamrocks attack with two goals apiece, while Jesse King added a goal and two assists.

After Thursday’s game, the teams will head back to Langley for Game 5 on Saturday night. Game 6, if needed, is set for Sunday at The Q Centre, with a seventh game due to be played next Tuesday at the LEC.

In the other best-of-seven semifinal series, the Nanaimo Timbermen take a 2-0 series lead into Game 3 tonight against the Coquitlam Adanacs at the Coquitlam Sports Centre. Game 4 goes Friday night at

Frank Crane Arena.

ʼLacrosse

JUNIOR ROCKS: In the B.C. Junior A League championship series, the Victoria Junior Shamrocks and Langley Junior Thunder are tied 2-2 going into tonight’s Game 5 at The Q Centre (5 p.m.).

The series moves to the Langley Events Centre for Game 6 on Saturday, with a seventh game, if necessary, set for The Q Centre on Sunday.

The series winner will represent B.C. at the 2022 Minto Cup from Aug. 22 to 28 in Brantford, Ont.