So much for the Coquitlam Adanacs’ hopes to enjoy a relaxing, celebratory BC Day long weekend.
That’s because the New Westminster Salmonbellies extended the BC Junior A Lacrosse League final to at least a fifth game — to be played Monday night — by beating the Adanacs 6-2 Wednesday at the Poirier Sports and Leisure Complex.
It was only the home team’s second loss all season and it narrows their advantage over New West in the best-of-seven final to two games to one.
For almost half of Wednesday’s game, it seemed the Adanacs might be on their way to putting a stranglehold on the series.
Thomas Semple’s power play goal 5:24 into the second period gave the hosts a 2-1 lead after the teams sawed off the first period 1-1.
But that was the last time Coquitlam shooters managed to beat Salmonbellies’ goalie Eric Kratz, who stopped 42 of the 44 shots he faced.
Less than two minutes after Semple’s goal, Brine Rice scored the first of five unanswered goals by Salmonbellies. Larson Sundown scored the game winner with 50 seconds left to play in the second period. Jeremy Bosher, Nick Chaykowsky and Rice — with his second — added insurance goals in the third period.
Rice added two assists to lead all scorers while Salmonbellies’ scoring sensation Connor Robinson contributed three assists.
Tommy Scanlan scored Coquitlam’s first goal.
The series continues in New Westminster’s Queens Park Arena tonight (Friday), before it returns to Coquitlam on Monday. Both games start at 7:30 p.m.
