Morning Star Staff
The Armstrong Shamrocks avenged their disappointing home loss last week downing the Kelowna Raiders 10-4 in Thomson Okanagan Senior Lacrosse League action Saturday, at a sweltering Kelowna Memorial Arena where temperatures reached 32C inside.
The Shamrocks stand alone at the top of the TOSLL standings with a 5-2 record.
League-leading scorer Steve McIlwrath fired in three goals for the ‘Rocks, who led 5-1 and 9-3 by periods.
McIlwrath has 23 goals and 18 assists for 41 points, and an 18-point lead on former Shamrock AJ Lockwood of the Kamloops Rattlers in the scoring derby.
Craig Bigsby, back from injury, and Joel Castle had two goals each while singles went to Sledgehammer Player of the Game Drew Hassard, Junior call-up Marlon Forrest and newly acquired lefty Nolan Frame, who just finished a university field lacrosse season for the Bryn Athyn Lions of Pennsylvania.
“This was a nice rebound game for us after a tough loss to them last weekend,” said Shamrocks coach Ryan Nitchie. “We got to return the favour catching them in Game 2 of back-to-back games – they looked as tired as we were last week.”
The Raiders went to Kamloops Friday and beat the Rattlers 9-5.
Kody O’Brien earned the win with some several spectacular saves.
“We let guys slip in behind our defence a couple of times tonight but Kody shut the door each time,” said Nitchie. “Kody’s play is getting stronger each start. He is really returning to the dominant form he showed in Junior.”
The Shamrocks were scheduled to host the Kamloops Rattlers Saturday night at the Nor-Val Sports Centre, however, the Rattlers have served notice that they have low player availability this weekend, and have requested the game be rescheduled.
Team managers and the league are reviewing suitable dates for the make up game.
This game was supposed to be the Shamrocks’ annual Alumni Night which will be rescheduled as well.
n At the agreement of both teams, the Vernon Sun Valley Source For Sports Tigers and Kelowna Raiders enacted a Thompson Okanagan Junior Lacrosse League mercy rule.
With the Tigers leading 11-2 nine minutes into the second period, and with Kelowna down to 10 runners and a goalie (started the game with 11 runners), both teams agreed to let the clock run.
The Tigers ended up winning 16-2 Saturday night, at Kal Tire Place.
Quintin Harrish scored four times for the Tigers, Ryan Sarazin added three while Brett Olsen and Thomas Landels each bagged a pair. Singles went to Sean Connors, Conor Webb, Jordy Barr, Nick Mann and Jake Pelletier.
Jeremy Gray went the distance in goal for the Tigers but only had to make 14 saves as Vernon outshot Kelowna 66-16.
South Okanagan Flames took care of a shorthanded Armstrong squad Monday in Penticton, beating the Shamrocks 15-5.
The Shamrocks fell 16-5 at home Friday to the Kamloops Venom.
Cam Watson led Armstrong with 1+2 while Chase Bronson, Forrest, Drew Bannister and Blake Luttmerding had the other goals.
South Okanagan (8-3-1) has a one-point lead on Kamloops (8-3) and a two-point cushion on Vernon (7-1-1).
The Tigers visit Kelowna (2-9) Thursday and travel to Armstrong Friday for a game with the Shamrocks (1-10) at Nor-Val Sports Centre at 7:30 p.m.
South Okanagan (8-3-1) has a one-point lead on Kamloops (8-3) and a two-point cushion on Vernon (7-1-1).
The Tigers visit Kelowna (2-9) Thursday and travel to Armstrong Friday for a game with the Shamrocks (1-10) at Nor-Val Sports Centre at 7:30 p.m.