Posted on Tuesday, 28th April 2009 by admin
- Image via Wikipedia
The Victoria Shamrocks of the Western Lacrosse Association are very pleased to announce the return of Ryan Ward to the club in 2009. The 28 year-old Victoria native played three seasons previously with the Shamrocks in 2002, 2003 and 2005 in which he played a total of 87 regular season and playoff games, scored 121 goals and added 147 assists for 268 points. He was named the WLA MVP in 2003 and was a key part of two Mann Cup championships in 2003 and 2005.
Ryan also plays for the Minnesota Swarm in the National Lacrosse League where he is a two-time All-Star in 2007 and 2008. In six NLL seasons he has played a total of 94 regular season and playoff games in which he has scored 140 goals and added 223 assists for 363 points.
“I’m very excited to be playing lacrosse in Victoria again this summer,” said Ward. “I’m looking forward to playing in front of friends and family and the best lacrosse fans in Canada.”
“Ryan Ward is right up there among the best lacrosse players that Victoria has ever produced,” said Shamrocks General Manager Chris Welch. “Offensively, he’s the total package; a great playmaker who also has a cannon of a shot. He also has tremendous leadership qualities both on and off the floor as well as championship experience and a history of producing in big games,” said Welch. “This is a major addition to our club in our drive to get back to the top of the ladder. He may have been away for the last couple of years but he has always bled green and we know our fans are going to be very excited to welcome him home.”
Other Notes:
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The Shamrocks 2009 training camp is currently underway on Monday and Thursday nights from 6:00 – 8:00. Practices are being held in the Juan de Fuca Arena until the ice comes out of Bear Mountain Arena after the RBC Cup.
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The Shamrocks open the 2009 WLA regular season at home on Friday May 22 against the Langley Thunder.
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Season tickets are available by calling 250-474-8612.
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New for 2009 – Group rates for minor lacrosse teams, call 250-474-7627.
Tags: Bear Mountain Arena, Big Games, Canada, Championship Experience, Juan De Fuca, Lacrosse, Lacrosse Canada, Lacrosse Fans, Lacrosse Players, Langley Thunder, Leadership Qualities, Mann Cup, Minnesota Swarm, National Lacrosse League, Nll, Playmaker, Playoff Games, Ryan Ward, Thursday Nights, Top Of The Ladder, Victoria Shamrocks, Western Lacrosse Association, Wikipedia, Wla
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Rock out of playoff hunt for 2009 season
TORONTO – The Toronto Rock hit the road this weekend to face the Philadelphia Wings in a crucial game on Saturday April 11th. Despite a couple of strong scoring streaks, the Rock could not finish with a win as Philadelphia defeated Toronto, 16-14.
Wings forward Merrick Thompson opened the scoring 40 seconds into the first quarter followed by another from Athan Iannucci giving Philadelphia a two goal lead early on. Luke Wiles put Toronto on the board with an outside shot but Drew Westervelt responded with a third Philly goal and Iannucci put another past Rock goaltender Bob Watson putting the Wings up by three. Forward Craig Conn scored another for the Rock with just over seven minutes left in the first quarter before Iannucci scored his third of the night. Jordan Levine scored another for the Wings before the quarter ended with Philadelphia ahead, 6-2.
Toronto dominated the scoring in the second quarter beginning with a power play goal from Kasey Beirnes. Defender Stephen Hoar put one past Philadelphia goaltender Rob Blasdell with 7:35 left and Lewis Ratcliff scored his first of the night followed by a shorthanded goal from defender Rob Marshall to tie the game. Blaine Manning broke the tie giving Toronto their first lead with just over three minutes left in the first half. Merrick Thompson scored the Wings’ first goal of the second quarter along with Drew Westervelt and Geoff Snider scoring back to back goals for Philadelphia closing the first half 9-7 in favour of the Wings.
As they did in the second quarter, the Rock scored another five straight to begin the second half. Rock newcomer Jason Clark scored his first of the game quickly into the third followed by another from Craig Conn, his second of the night. Forward Jason Crosbie put another past Rob Blasdell, giving Toronto their second lead of the game and Jason Clark and Lewis Ratcliff each scored their second of the night putting the Rock up by three. A pair of Geoff Snider goals followed and Westervelt scored another for Philadelphia tying the game at 12-12 with 2:42 left in the third quarter and remaining tied closing out the third.
Mat Giles opened the scoring in the fourth quarter for Philadelphia but Kasey Beirnes responded for the Rock and two teams remained tied at 13-13 until Bill McGlone put one in from behind the net for Toronto with just under nine minutes left in the game. Jon Harasym scored for Philadelphia to tie the game once again and Drew Westervelt gave Philadelphia the lead and the game winner with a minute left. Kyle Sweeney scored on a Rock empty net bringing the Wings to a 16-14 win over Toronto.
Toronto scoring was spread out among Craig Conn, Kasey Beirnes, Jason Clark and Lewis Ratcliff who all scored twice with Conn recording 4 assists on the night. Bill McGlone, Luke Wiles, Rob Marshall, Blaine Manning, Stephen Hoar and Jason Crosbie contributed a goal each.
The Rock (5-10) are no longer in the playoff hunt for the 2009 season and play their final regular season game at home next weekend on Saturday April 18th when they host the San Jose Stealth at 7:00 p.m. EST.