Shamrox back in business, but offense still hurting

The senses got a full workout on Opening Night.

The sight of fans sporting their favorite green, white and black jerseys. The smell of hotdogs, pretzels and nachos in the Sears Centre's concourses as fans lined 10 deep to get their favorite treats. The echoing sounds of Motley Crue's "Kickstart My Heart" as Chicago Shamrox forward Josh Wasson fired in a third-quarter goal against Toronto.

The electricity of 6,116 banging thundersticks and bagpipers in full regalia ringing in a new season during Saturday night's spectacle was definitely not the "very dark day" National Lacrosse League commissioner Jim Jennings referred to back in mid-October when the 2008 season was canceled.

But after a seven-year collective bargaining agreement was reached with the Professional Lacrosse Players Association on Oct. 25, economic issues were brushed aside and everyone involved could just focus on the game.

"It did set everybody back a little bit because we're scrambling for practice times … but that wasn't really our case," Shamrox coach Jamie Batley said after his team's 11-9 loss. "Our case has been injury problems."

With five of its top players out of the lineup, the retooled offense that scored an Eastern Division-low 176 goals last season did not find the back of the net in the fourth quarter.

Blaine Manning scored 4 goals and Kasey Beirnes posted a hat trick as the Rock improved to 2-1 all time against the Shamrox.

Kevin Fines, the defenseman acquired Nov. 5 in a draft-day deal that sent Cam Woods to Toronto, tallied the Shamrox' first goal of the season at 10:28 of the first quarter -- a low-liner that hovered over the green turf carpet and rocketed past Bob Watson.

"It's good to get (the first goal) out of the way and get it off my back," said Fines, who scored twice to tie Bobby McBride for team-high honors. "The fans are loud and it's exciting to play here."

After serving as the Shamrox' captain last season, Woods received a lukewarm welcome during player introductions. Scoring on a one-timer past Brandon Miller just 34 seconds after Fines' first goal didn't warm the hearts of the Shamrox faithful.

"There was some people out there waving," Woods said. "There's still some fans out there."

They'll get their next chance to cheer Jan. 26 when the Shamrox host Edmonton.