Morning Star Staff
The Armstrong Shamrocks played with heavy hearts at home Friday.
The Shamrocks went into the back end of their Thompson Okanagan Junior Lacrosse League home-and-home series with the Kelowna Raiders Friday night at the Nor-Val Sports Centre dealing with the loss of teammate Brody Southwell-Berg, who was killed in a car accident near his hometown of Blind Bay, in the Shuswap, early Friday morning.
“He was a great player and teammate who was friendly, always had a smile on his face and was a pleasure to coach,” said Shamrocks assistant coach and general manager Jeff Hanley.
“Brody was a favourite amongst the other players. He was a great asset to the team on both offence and defence. He was a well-rounded player who could comfortably slide into whatever role we needed him to.”
Southwell-Berg, a left-handed shot, spent four years with the Shamrocks. He played in this year’s Archie Jack Icebreaker tournament and in the team’s season-opening loss to the Vernon Sun Valley Source For Sports Tigers, but had not played since.
“He was trying to balance his schedule and we were all looking forward to his full-time return,” said Hanley. “His impact with the team this year would have been huge.”
The Irish retired Southwell-Berg’s No. 22 prior to the start of Friday’s game.
“It was a very tough call for all of us as far as playing tonight,” said Hanley on Friday. “His death is a huge shock to all and we only learned of it this morning. The decision was made to carry on with tonight’s game in Brody’s honour which we all believe is what he would have wanted ,and I think it will give the guys a chance to properly pay their respects on the floor which I believe would mean a lot to Brody.”
The Raiders outscored Armstrong 6-2 in the final 20 minutes to post a 12-10 win Friday, earning a split of the home-and-home.
Sam Hanley led the Irish with six goals and an assist. Marlon Forrest had 2+6, Nik Luttmerding added 1+3 and Cameron Watson scored the other goal for Armstrong, who led 5-3 after one.
It was the Shamrocks who came from behind Thursday at Kelowna Memorial Arena, scoring seven times in the final frame for a 15-14 win over the Raiders.
Forrest fired four goals for the ‘Rocks while Liam Drabiuk added 3+4. Sam Hanley, with 2+5, Chase Bronson and Blake Luttmerding added two goals each while singles went to Watson and Brody Drydyk to support Francois Leroux.
The Tigers went to Penticton Monday night and iced the South Okanagan Flames 13-2 at Memorial Arena.
Jordy Barr bagged four goals for Vernon. Ryan Sarazin had 3+2 and Jake Pelletier also added a hat trick. Quintin Harrish had 2+2 and Connor Webb rounded out the scoring.
Steel Pelletier set up four goals, Brett Olsen chipped in three helpers. The Shamrocks (1-4) host the league-leading unbeaten Kamloops Venom (4-0) Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Nor-Val Sports Centre.
The Tigers (2-1-1) play the Shamrocks in Vernon’s home opener Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at Kal Tire Place.