The Coquitlam Adanacs scored 1:10 into their BC Junior A Lacrosse League game Wednesday against the Delta Islanders. And then they just kept on scoring en route to a 19-4 victory.
The Adanacs were led by Ty Yanko, who scored five goals and set up three more, in a nice bounce-back victory after a tough 7-5 loss to the New Westminster Salmonbellies the night before at Queen’s Park Arena.
That showdown was the first meeting of the season between the two rivals, and the tough play by both sides served notice of more battles ahead.
While Coquitlam has held the upperhand on the provincial stage and a couple of Minto Cup titles in that span, Tuesday’s result is less a sign of the worm turning than it is of the cost of being book smart. Disappointed with the result, Coquitlam coach Pat Coyle was still pleased with the effort, considering his lineup remains bereft of 10 starters.
“(New West) played well, their goalie played well, but I don’t know if it says anything,” said Coyle. “We’re missing 10 guys so it’s hard to judge, but it was a good opportunity for some guys to show how they match up at this level.”
Key among the missing are offensive stars Thomas Semple, finishing his freshman year at the University of Denver, John Hofseth at Seton Hill, Baden Boyenko at Genesse University and team captain Reid Bowering of Drexel University. All are expected back within the next four weeks.
The Adanacs scored first but found themselves playing catch-up most of the night.
Tied 2-2 midway through the second, the ‘Bellies grabbed a 3-2 lead on Tre Leclaire’s 10th of the season. Gabe Procyk countered just over a minute later, but New West snapped in two tallies within 36 seconds, including a powerplay goal by Keegan Bell. The game winner came off the stick of Cam Garlin, who upped the lead to 6-3 with a shorthanded effort 5:28 into the third.
While the visitors got markers by Dennon Armstrong and Jalen Chaster in the third to close the gap to one, New West added insurance with 5:33 left on another Bell shot.
New West is also missing a handful of starters at university, but the absences on Coquitlam’s side of the ledger, including virtually the starting right side, has made the 3-1-1 start understandable, although not acceptable.
“We had 18 guys but we’re missing some big players,” said Coyle. “We’re still trying to work the kinks out, and one of our offensive guys came off when he shouldn’t have (on the shorthanded goal).”
Encouraging was the fact that the defence and netminder Christian Del Bianco held the ‘Bellies to seven goals and limited the electric duo of Leclaire, a recent acquisition and 2016 league scoring champion, and Carter Dickson to just one goal.
“We held our own, and I think defensively there’s a good take-away from (the game),” added Coyle.
Armstrong finished with two goals and three assists, while Kyle Nichols added a single. Coquitlam out shot New West 38-37.
Coquitlam will host Nanaimo on Sunday, 5 p.m., at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex.
The surprising 4-1-2 Port Coquitlam Saints, meanwhile, entertain the Langley Thunder on Friday, 8 p.m. at the PoCo Rec Centre.
