Playing five-on-five, the winless Vernon Tigers hung in there with their arch rivals to the north.
But it was the Armstrong Shamrocks' powerplay that proved lethal, as the Irish scored five times with the man advantage in a 10-6 win over the Tigers Friday, May 30, spoiling the Cats' Thompson Okanagan Senior Lacrosse League home opener at Kal Tire Place.
Armstrong's first four goals came with Vernon players in the penalty box, including a pair of markers during a five-minute powerplay that carried over into the second period. The Shamrocks led 2-1 after 20 minutes, and upped that margin to 6-3 heading into the third period.
The Tigers put forth a gutsy effort, hanging with the defending playoff champions, but each time Vernon pulled to within a goal or two, Armstrong twice answered with a pair of goals less than a minute apart,
Vernon scored three powerplay goals in the third period.
Shamrocks captain Steve Clarke, the game's first star, led the visitors with two goals and four assists. Second star Logan Strohm fired in three goals for the winners. Ryan Harwood also had a pair for Armstrong while single markers went to Jake Pelletier, Cam Nelson, and Joel Castle, who also chipped in three assists.
Darcy Rhodes collected four points to pace the Tigers, two goals and two helpers. Ryan Johnson had 2+1 while ageless veteran Steve Latimer and Skylar Hodgson added the other Vernon goals.
Tigers netminder Derek Pereboom was the game's third star, making 48 saves, while Connor Senn made 27 stops for Armstrong.
The result Friday was vastly different from the last time the team's met four weeks prior, Friday, May 2, in Armstrong's home opener where the Shamrocks pummelled the Tigers 18-3.
The victory was Armstrong's fourth in a row, moving them to 4-1 and into a first-place tie with the Kelowna Raiders (4-1), setting up a huge showdown between the league leaders Sunday, June 1, at the Rutland Arena. Game time is 6:30 p.m. The Shamrocks handed Kelowna its only loss a week ago, 5-4, at the Sunbelt Arena.
The Tigers (0-5) will look to get into the win column at home Friday, June 6, when they host the Kamloops Rattlers at 7:30 p.m. at Kal Tire Place. The Rattlers sit third at 2-3.
