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Victoria Shamrocks call up juniors to build forces against Adanacs

Pride is a powerful motivater. So the Victoria Shamrocks say they can take nothing for granted tonight at the Q Centre against the Western Lacrosse Association last-place Coquitlam Adanacs (2-15).

Pride is a powerful motivater.

So the Victoria Shamrocks say they can take nothing for granted tonight at the Q Centre against the Western Lacrosse Association last-place Coquitlam Adanacs (2-15).

The Shamrocks (11-5) found that out last week in Coquitlam when they fell behind 6-2 to the Adanacs before rallying for a 13-11 overtime victory.

“[Adanacs] are playing for pride and to be spoilers,” warned Shamrocks head coach Bob Heyes.

Heyes said it took an on-bench dressing down, mid-game by assistant coach Mike Simpson, to jolt the Shamrocks back to life in Coquitlam: “He told the guys to wake up.”

With offensive-threats Rhys Duch and Chris Wardle still on the shelf, Victoria is calling up Junior Shamrocks players Braylon Lumb, who was the B.C. Junior ‘A’ League MVP, Marshall King, Brad McCulley and defensive stalwart Dylan Rehman.

“Fans will see at least a couple of those players in the lineup [tonight],” said Heyes.

“It gives us a different look and more energy.”

The latter is an important factor indoors in box lacrosse in high summer.

“It’s going to be hot, for sure, both [tonight] and Sunday,” said Heyes.

Victoria closes out the regular season Sunday at the Q Centre against the Salmonbellies.

The second-place Shamrocks will play either the Nanaimo Timbermen or Maple Ridge Burrards in the WLA playoff semifinals, beginning next week.

The New Westminster Salmonbellies (14-3) clinched the 2018 WLA regular-season crown with a 16-6 victory over the Timbermen on Thursday night at Queen’s Park Arena. Regardless of that result, the Timbermen (9-7-1) have qualified for the playoffs for the first time in 11 seasons. They can finish third and set up an all-Island playoff semifinal against Victoria if the T-Birds beat the Burnaby Lakers (6-10-1) on Saturday night at Frank Crane Arena in the Harbour City.

“That would be great for Island lacrosse and the WLA as a whole,” said Heyes.

The other playoff club, Maple Ridge (9-8-1), has finished the regular season. The Burrards await this weekend’s results to see if they meet Victoria or New Westminster in the semifinals.

cdheensaw@timescolonist.com