Jackson was action and Jesse was King for a night as the Victoria Shamrocks opened the 2018 Western Lacrosse Association season with a Duch treat.
Casey Jackson and Jesse King scored five goals each and Rhys Duch added nine assists for Victoria in a 13-11 victory over the Burnaby Lakers at a packed The Q Centre on Friday.
But a shiny Penney almost stole the show. The only reason the game was even close was Burnaby’s Eric Penney, who showed why he was named 2017 WLA first-team all-star goaltender. The native of Rexdale, Ont., who plays pro in the NLL for the Vancouver Stealth, faced a furious barrage as Victoria outshot the Lakers by a whopping 69-36 margin.
Former NCAA Big-Ten Ohio State Buckeyes field-lacrosse star King, who had 224 points for the Shamrocks in 61 career games before missing the entire 2017 WLA season to injury, had a memorable return. It has been a long way back after tearing his ACL, MCL and meniscus late in 2016 in what is described as the unholy trinity of knee injuries.
“The knee is great now. I was excited to get back. It was one of the greatest feelings to be back in this arena where I grew up playing as a kid,” said King.
“This offence is going to be so talented this year.”
Jackson, who had an eight-point night, concurred.
“[King] and I worked really well together,” said Jackson.
“We both just got back from the winter season [playing pro lacrosse in the NLL], so there wasn’t too much rust.”
Jackson was asked if he can recall a game in which his team launched 69 shots on net.
“Not that I can remember,” he said.
“Penney is an awesome goalie. We were happy to get 13 past him.”
Victoria trailed 3-1 before scoring four unanswered goals to open the second period.
It was the season opener for Victoria, and dropped the Lakers to 0-2, after Burnaby opened the season with a 12-7 loss Wednesday in Langley.
“That was a lot of shots on goal,” said Shamrocks head coach Bob Heyes, entering his seventh season on the Victoria bench.
“It was a positive for the offence, although, we have to work on finishing and accuracy. And I would like to see us spread around scoring more, but it’s early in the season and that will come.”
Cody Hagedorn was in goal for Victoria.
The Shamrocks’ road opener is literally up the road June 2 at Nanaimo in the Island derby against the Timbermen, before Victoria returns to The Q Centre to face the defending WLA champion New Westminster Salmonbellies on June 3.
BOXLA BITS: Matt Yager replaces the departed Corey Small as Shamrocks captain. . . . The WLA has inaugurated a three-person officiating system this season. . . . Premier John Horgan, a fixture at lacrosse and rugby events around the region, was accompanied by wife Ellie in dropping the ball for the ceremonial opening face-off before the game.
