They are two very different players, but both come with a respected value to the Victoria Shamrocks.
Cory Conway is off to a torrid start in the points department with the Western Lacrosse Association club, which travels to Langley tonight to face the Thunder at 7 p.m., and Karsen Leung continues to run up a storm as a transition player with the two-time defending league champions.
“It’s just a natural gift I have, I guess, and I use it to my abilities,” Leung said of his speed and ability to run forever.
“That’s my advantage, my speed. This team needs me to push the ball and we have a lot of guys on this team who can run the floor with me, which is nice.”
Leung, 25, also plays that vital role with the Calgary Roughnecks of the National Lacrosse League.
In four games since rejoining the Shamrocks following the NLL season (he played the day after the Roughnecks bowed out of the playoffs, a sign of his dedication), he has two goals and three assists. One goal came short-handed as Leung plays in those key situations.
“Karsen is such a great player,” coach Bob Heyes said. “We know what we’ve had with him from Day 1, but he steadily improves and he’s consistent. There’s the odd time when he wants to take off early [in transition], but those are habits we have to instill in everyone.
“He’s such a threat [with his speed]. Against Burnaby [an 11-5 win], we needed goal in transition and he got it. It was a key performance for him. He took a shot to the head [on his ear], he iced it and he finished the game. He just gives you everything he has every night.”
Conway, 27, returned to the Shamrocks this season after taking 2014 off.
“I grew up playing with him. I’m glad he’s back,” teammate Matt Yager said. “He has a good stick and he’s a big body. We could have used him last year, yeah, but some guys get worn out or you need a break, so he’s back and ready to go and it’s a new year.”
With the same old results for Conway, who is always near the top in points. The Brentwood Bay product currently sits tied for second in WLA scoring with New Westminster’s Logan Schuss with 18 points, two behind Shamrocks teammate Rhys Duch with 20 (Schuss has played one less game).
Conway, one of the best passers in the league, also has 11 assists to sit fourth in the league in that department.
“Cory is a great player. Obviously we missed him last year,” Shamrocks general manager Chris Welch said.
“We’re glad that things worked out and that he’s able to come back and take another run at it again this year.
“Out the front door he does everything well. The kid has incredible vision on the floor and the kid feeds as well as anybody in the sport,” Welch added of his right-hander.
“The one knock is, he has a great shot and that he doesn’t use it enough.
“I think everyone tries to get him to shoot more. He’s totally an unselfish guy who sees him, first and foremost, as a playmaker, but he’s also a great finisher.”
CLOVER POINTS: Longtime trainer Jim (Downtown) Cain resigned from the club this week. “Jim has been a staple with the club over the years and we would like to thank Jim for his 38 years of dedicated service to the club. He will be definitely missed,” the Shamrocks posted on their Facebook page on Monday. … Scott Ranger and Tyler Hass (injuries) are both game-time decisions tonight for Victoria. Dan Dawson will not play. … Ryan Dilks, of the NLL champion Edmonton Rush, is expected next week and his teammate, goaltender Aaron Bold, joins the Shamrocks at the end of the month.
mannicchiarico@timescolonist.com
Twitter/tc_vicsports
