Rhys Duch, here in Stealth action, didn’t play Sunday for Victoria versus Langley. (Vancouver Stealth)
Add Rhys Duch to the list of stars that the Victoria Shamrocks have managed to win without in these playoffs.
With Duch missing Sunday with an undisclosed injury and Corey Small still out with another ailment yet to be made public, the Shamrocks beat the Langley Thunder 11-8 at the Langley Events Centre to take a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven Western Lacrosse Association finals.
The Shamrocks, who have also missed veteran snipers Scott Ranger and Jeff Shattler and accomplished rookie Mitch Jones at points during these playoffs, can clinch the provincial title and the host berth in the Mann Cup national championship series that goes with it with a win Thursday at Bear Mountain Arena.
A Langley victory that night means Game 7 Sunday at Langley Events.
Cory Conway had two goals and three assists for Victoria on Sunday, while Shattler added four assists and Jones had three goals. Matt Vinc made 35 saves.
Langley got one goal and five assists from Garrett Billings and two goals from Dane Dobbie. Brodie MacDonald made 49 saves.
Langley, the two-time reigning WLA champions, were the top seeds from the regular season. Victoria was No. 2.
The opponent in the Mann Cup will be the Ontario champion. The Six Nations Chiefs carry a 3-0 lead into a Monday game with Brooklin Redmen.
