A second-period explosion helped lift the Coquitlam Adanacs past the New Westminster Salmonbellies 9-7 in the first game of the B.C. Junior A Lacrosse League finals.
After falling behind 3-2 in the opening frame, Coquitlam struck for seven second-period goals to take a 9-5 lead heading into the final 20 minutes.
"We weren't happy with our first period after having a bit of a layoff. We've lost the first period all through the playoffs. It's not like they were dominating, we outshot them," said head coach Neil Doddridge, who lit a fire under his team during the first intermission. "Whatever was said I guess it got their attention."
Doddridge said the Adanacs' second-period outburst is a glimpse of the way he thinks his team is capable of playing.
"To respond the way we did was a good sign," he said. "Both these teams are good, there's not a lot separating them. We both have really good goaltending. I believe our defence is quite strong and they have quite a lot of offensive talent on their team and I think there is the battle right there."
Tyler Garrison led the Coquitlam attack with two goals and two assists, with Evan Wortley also supplying a pair and singles going to Wesley Berg, Jake Taylor, Cole Shafer, Challen Rogers and Andy Taylor. Davide DiRuscio made 35 saves in the win.
Friday's game ended on a bad note with the Salmonbellies Daniel Perreault given a major for high sticking in the final minute, with 19 minutes in penalties handed out to both sides.
"There was some stuff at the end of the game that was uncalled for. I've been involved in the game long enough to know that shouldn't happen. It doesn't need to be there," said Doddridge.
The teams squared off in New Westminster Tuesday night before heading to the Coquitlam Sports Centre for Game 3 tonight at 7:30 p.m.
Both teams have already earned a spot at this year's Minto Cup, which runs Aug. 17-26 at New Westminster's Queen's Park Arena.
"I've never been in a situation where you're already in (the Minto Cup). Usually you're playing to get into the Minto Cup and everything's on the line," said Doddridge, who has been rotating players through the lineup in an attempt to keep everyone fresh. "It's a different dynamic."
Sr. A's fall
A pair of former players came back to haunt the Senior Adanacs in the opening game of the Western Lacrosse Association playoffs.
Former Adanac Dane Dobbie netted the winner for the Langley Thunder who took a 1-0 series lead with a 10-8 win Thursday night.
The Thunder jumped out to a 7-2 lead after one period but Coquitlam responded with six unanswered second-period goals to take an 8-7 lead into the final frame.
"I think Langley got a little overconfident and I think we just picked our game up a little bit and the ball started going in," said head coach Bob Salt.
But the tide turned again when former Adanac Nick Rose replaced Brodie MacDonald in the Langley net after Darryl Veltman's second goal of the night made it 8-7 with 4:41 remaining in the second.
"They put Rosey in and we just couldn't score and I don't understand that because these guys have shot on Rosey for a couple of years," said Salt.
Rose stopped all 15 shots he faced while Adam Shute turned aside 36 shots in the Coquitlam net. Brandon Goodwin with a pair, Brett Hickey, Matthew Dinsdale, Brad Richardson and Jeff Sproule also scored for the Adanacs.
Game 2 in the best-of-seven series went Tuesday night with Game 3 set for Thursday in Langley.
"I think we've got to come out and play better in the first period. We can't give them a five- or six-goal lead and expect to win the game," said Salt.
He's pleased with the way his young team battled on the road, staying within one (with the final goal coming on an empty net) of the league's dominant club.
"If we can get to Game 6 I really like our chances," said Salt. "The longer the series goes the better our chances."
The Victoria Shamrocks knocked off the Burnaby Lakers 12-8 in the opening game of the other WLA series.
