The Vernon Sun Valley Source For Sports Tigers have no issues scoring goals in the Thompson Okanagan Junior Lacrosse League.
However, the Tigers focussed on defence to win their biggest game of the season Thursday night at Nor-Val Sports Centre in Armstrong. It was Vernon’s first win in Armstrong this campaign.
Vernon held Shamrock captain Marlon Forrest and sniper Brayden Hoggarth pointless in a 9-3 win which levelled the best-of-five semifinal playoff series at 1-1. Game 3 goes Saturday night at Kal Tire Place. Game 4 is Monday night in Armstrong. A fifth game, if required, would go Wednesday night in Vernon.
Brett Olsen supplied 2+2 for the Tigers, who held period leads of 3-2 and 7-2 in front of Darnell Hauca.
Thomas Landels, Kyle Cuzzetto, Jake Pelletier and Jordy Barr each pocketed 1+2 for Vernon, who got singles from captain Chris Inscho and Eric Reid. Kolten Kirschner counted three assists.
“It (defensive play) kind of just happened,” said Barr. “We very strong on defence. We had our top d-men, Chris Inscho, Kolten Kirschner, Logan Revell and McKenzie Moore, on their top-three: Hoggarth, (Sam) Hanley and Forrest. It felt nice to tie the series. We just have to keep our heads in the game and not get too cocky moving forward.”
The Shamrocks, who finished third in the regular season, seven points behind the second-seeded Tigers, got snipes from Hanley, Nich Yadernuk and Carter Olsen-Stiles in front of Connor Sean.
Inscho said the Tigers didn’t give the potent Shamrocks time to set up their offence.
“We stuck to our normal defence but I think we pressed them a little harder and they turned the ball over more,” said Inscho, a fourth-year Cat who turns 21 on July 19. “We really had to make up for our loss in Game 1 and everybody brought a little extra to Game 2. We have our confidence back and we know what it takes.”
Vernon took 34 penalty minutes and Armstrong 21. The Tigers host the provincial tournament, Aug. 4-7.
The league champion Kamloops Venom stuffed the South Okanagan Flames 16-12 in Oliver Thursday night to grab a 2-0 series lead. Game 3 goes Saturday night in Kamloops.
Monty Chisholm led the Venom with six goals. Colten Boomer (3), Riley Peterson (2), Ryan Wightman (2), Nolan Virgo, Kolby Pauwels and Tylor Seabrooke also hit the scoresheet in support of Matt Hans.