The Victoria Shamrocks’ 24-game winning streak is over – but their unbeaten run is still alive.
In front of 2,157 fans at The Q Centre on Friday night, the Shamrocks were forced to settle for a 7-7 draw against the Maple Ridge Burrards in the Western Lacrosse Association’s (WLA) Game of the Week.
It marked the first time since July 20, 2023, that Victoria failed to win a regular-season contest, snapping a run of 24 straight victories.
Despite outshooting the Burrards 64-51 and dominating possession in overtime, the Shamrocks couldn’t find a winner.
They struck iron multiple times and hemmed Maple Ridge into their own zone for the final three minutes of the extra frame – but Burrards goaltender Brandon Humphrey stood tall, turning aside 57 shots on the night to deny the hosts.
Chris Origlieri made 44 saves at the other end for Victoria and continues to lead the WLA in goals-against average (5.55) and save percentage (.881).
A sluggish opening period put the Shamrocks in a hole early, with Maple Ridge jumping out to a 5-2 lead after 20 minutes.
Dylan McIntosh scored three times in the first period alone, while WLA-leading scorer Marcus Klarich and Garret Winter added singles. Victoria’s goals came from Marshal King and Elijah Gash.
The Shamrocks began to find their rhythm in the second. Kyle Pepper scored just 14 seconds into the period, and Ari Stevens brought Victoria within one late in the frame.
But a Maple Ridge answer quickly followed from Winter, before King tallied his second of the night, with just seconds remaining in the period, cutting the deficit to 6-5 heading to the third.
King completed his hat trick just over three minutes into the third to tie the game 6-6, and Chris Wardle gave Victoria its first lead moments later. That edge lasted only until Klarich’s second of the night pulled Maple Ridge even at 7-7.
Neither team found the net through the final half of the third, setting up an overtime that Victoria largely controlled – everywhere except the scoreboard.
Despite outshooting the Burrards 9-2 in the extra frame and spending the final minutes in the attacking zone, the Shamrocks couldn’t beat Humphrey one last time.
Victoria’s unbeaten streak now stands at 25 games (24-0-1), but the mood inside The Q Centre was more frustration than relief.
The Shamrocks are back in action Thursday, June 12, when they travel to Queen’s Park Arena for a marquee matchup against the undefeated New Westminster Salmonbellies.
