Six goals shy of his all-time high as a Victoria Shamrock, Rhys Duch doesn’t look like he’ll get to that mark, having been shut out in a 9-6 loss to the Burnaby Lakers in front of 2,216 fans at The Q Centre on Friday.
It takes nothing away from the season the just-turned-28-year-old has had, scoring 37 times and adding 34 assists in 15 games played.
Duch won’t reach the 43 goals and 41 assists he tallied back in 2009, but it’s a far cry from his 14 goals and 17 helpers in seven appearances last year.
Duch did record three helpers as the Shamrocks slipped to 13-2-2, losing their first Western Lacrosse Association home game of the season. They wrap up league play next Friday against visiting Nanaimo.
“It’s cool to be that close, especially considering I haven’t played the full number of games, but getting ready for playoffs is most important in my mind right now, that’s for sure,” Duch said.
He’s easily considered one of the top five natural scorers in this league, including the likes of Curtis Dickson of Maple Ridge, Burnaby’s Robert Church, Alex Turner of Langley and teammate Corey Small.
“I wouldn’t consider myself that functional when I get back in the defensive end,” Duch said with a chuckle. “I can stay in a guy’s way, but I think pure goal-scorer is where my attributes lie.”
And Shamrocks head coach Bob Heyes appreciates having him around, especially for the whole season.
“Duchee has had an outstanding year for us,” Heyes said. “He’s always been the goal-scorer, but his game has developed a little bit more. He’s making guys around him a little bit better.
“He’s realizing the aspect of a team game and that he doesn’t have to place everything on his own shoulders, and it’s easier for him. He’s settled,” Heyes said of having Duch residing back in his hometown.
On Friday, Jesse King returned to the Shamrocks’ lineup, but the hosts were flat without Tyler Hass, Karsen Leung and Mitch McLaren, which badly hurt Victoria’s transition game.
Dane Stevens had three goals and four assists for Burnaby, while Casey Jackson and Church had a pair. Tyler Digby and Peter McFetrdige added a goal each for the visitors, who are now 10-6.
Scott Ranger and Corey Small, with two each, Brandon Bull and Derek Lowe replied for Victoria.
Cody Hagedorn, making his third straight start, took the loss in goal for Victoria while Tyler Richards collected the win.
CLOVER POINTS: The Shamrocks took time out in the first intermission to recognize the Juan de Fuca Pee Wee A and B teams, which were successful at recent provincials, both capturing league and championship banners. The B team, coached by Derek Arthur, went undefeated all season. The A club is coached by Teddy Jenner and will have two players go on to Team B.C. — goalie Adam Bland, the MVP of provincials, and captain Jacob Obee.
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