Back and forth Game 2 ends in 9-7 loss

By Ian McNaughton

While Game #2 was closer than Game #1, it was still the Victoria Shamrocks who were victorious as the Rocks defeated the Nanaimo Timbermen 9-7. The win gives the Rocks a 2-0 series lead over the T-men with Game 3 going Saturday night at The Q Centre.  

Nanaimo was more competitive on the home court, including leading 7-6 early in the third, but gave up three straight goals to close the game. Seven different players got goals for Nanaimo, but Jon Phillips led the T-Men in points with four on the night. Ryan Sheridan has looked more like a Senior Timbermen with every shift as he put up a goal and an assist. It was also a better night for Nanaimo netminder Charles Claxton, who gave up nine goals on 57shots. However, the T-Men were missing Nate Wade on the back end and still only gave up nine goals. 

The Shamrocks got big-time contributions from goalie Peter Dubenski and forward Jesse King on Thursday. Dubenski made 40 saves for Victoria and had some spectacular saves in the first and third period to keep the Shamrocks in the game. Dubenski was named the first star in his efforts while King was named the second star. Kinger netted a hat trick, including the tying goal 5:08 into the third, and added an assist against Nanaimo. Chris Boushy scored just one goal, but it was the eventual game-winning goal a minute and a half after King’s.