Shamrocks Impressive in Game 1 of Mann Cup as they pound Lakers 13-6

The home team Victoria Shamrocks were impressive in so many ways as they had their way the entire game surprising some with their 13-6 victory over the Peterborough Lakers in Game 1 of the 2019 Mann Cup series.

Victoria had great pace on offence, battled hard on defence and never stepped off the pedal as they were often a step or two ahead of the Lakers. 

The Lakers came out hard to begin the game, however, Victoria goaltender Peter Dubenski was very impressive making numerous outstanding saves, putting on a display that showed why he was the Most Valuable Player of the Western Lacrosse Association playoffs.

Victoria’s Chris Boushy opened the scoring 7:22 into the game.  It was a short-lived lead, as Zach Currier responded just 6 seconds later to tie the game 1-1.  That was as close as the Lakers would make it on the scoreboard for the night.

The Shamrocks netted three more markers in the last eight and a half minutes of the period (Chris Wardle at 11:26; Casey Jackson at 15:21 and Chris Boushy with his second of the period at 18:09) to end the first frame with a well-earned 4-1 lead.  It was a sign of things to come as despite outshooting Victoria 21-15, the Lakers seemed a step or two behind.

The teams exchanged goals to begin the second period with Tyler Pace putting the Shamrocks up 5-1 at 4:41.  Josh Currier tightened the game to 5-2 at 6:04.  Victoria scored two quick markers to opened up a five-goal gap (Connor Robinson at 12:06 and Liam Patten at 12:41).

Holden Cattoni blasted a shot by Dubenski to make it 7-3, but once again, Victoria netted two quick ones with Marshal King and Chris Boushy scoring 23 seconds apart to open the lead to 9-3 to end the second period.  By this point in the game the Lakers had outshot Victoria 46-36, but it was apparent, they had not yet solved the stellar defensive wall of the Victoria defenders which was reinforced by the sometimes spectacular ball stopping skills of Peter Dubenski.

Peterborough found themselves in the penalty box early in the third period granting the Shamrocks powerplay goals - Connor Robinson and Tyler Pace.  Less than four minutes into the period and it was 11-3 Shamrocks. The Lakers rallied with goals by Joe Resetarits and Jake Withers to make it 11-5.  But Chris Wardle scored a short-handed marker to return the deficit to 12-5.  Mark Matthews replied with a power play goal for Peterborough. The scoring ended with an open net by Victoria’s Tyler Burton.  Game final score a surprising 13-6, particularly with Peterborough having outshot Victoria 67-53.

Shamrocks goaltender Pete Dubenski was the difference.  He is a goaltender who obviously tracks the ball well and literally attacks each shot. However, he did have the benefit of a Victoria defence who limited Peterborough’s quality chances.  For the Lakers’ goaltender Mike Poulin - not at top of his game tonight, but his defence was not up to the usual standard of the Lakers.  The return of Brock Sorenson for Game 2 (a wedding commitment which kept him out of Game 1) should benefit the Lakers. 

The difference in shots which may raise eyebrows, was somewhat misleading.  Far too often, the Lakers blasted balls from such an outside distance, it was like Dubenski was using his body to play catch.  The Lakers can and HAVE to better in this regard.  Whether the Shamrocks smothering defence will allow them to, remains to be seen.

The first game of a series is just that.  It is not necessarily definitive as to how the series will eventually unfold.  Game 2 could be a statement game for both teams.  Are Victoria that much better than Peterborough?  Will the MSL Champions Lakers play better?  They need to and we shall see.

Top Scorers

Victoria

Chris Boushy – 3 goals; 1 assist
Connor Robinson – 3 goals; 1 assist
Casey Jackson – 1 goal; 3 assists

Peterborough

Jake Withers – 1 goal; 1 assist; Holden Cattoni – 1 goal; 1 assist; Mark Matthews – 1 goal; 1 assist

Joe Resetarits – Zach Currier, Josh Currier – 1 goal each

Game two is Saturday night September 7th at 7:00 p.m. Pacific Time (10:00 p.m. in the East)  

All games can be watched on wlalacrosse.com

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