The Victoria Shamrocks might be beginning to feel the heat in the first round series against the Burnaby Lakers.

Following an 11-6 loss on their home floor, the 'Rocks now hold a slim 3-2 series lead just days after they appeared poised for a series sweep.

Scoring was at a premium in the early going last night as the teams combined for just three goals in the opening frame, with the Lakers taking a 2-1 lead into the second.

Jeff Shattler and Corey Small got the Shamrocks offense going in the early part of the second with a goal apiece to give Victoria its first lead of the game, but the Lakers responded with a pair of their own before the period had hit its midway point.

The clubs traded goals for the rest of the stanza, and when the dust settled they retreated to the dressing room with Burnaby holding a 6-5 advantage.

Corey Small tied the game at six with an early third period tally, but it was all Burnaby from there.

The visitors scored five goals in the next ten minutes in an offensive display that left little doubt that the series would go back to the mainland for game 6.

Lakers goaltender Zak Boychuk was named the game's first star, making 48 saves as the Shamrocks outshot their guests by a whopping 54-36 margin.

The Shamrocks will have a third chance to finish off the Lakers on Friday night. That game is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. in Burnaby.