Taken at face value, the Coquitlam junior Adanacs’ 12-5 triumph over the New Westminster Salmonbellies on Tuesday appears to be as decisive a statement either team has made so far in the best-of-seven B.C. Junior A Lacrosse championship series.
The defending B.C. champion Adanacs brushed off two losses to the rival ‘Bellies in Games 2 and 3 on their own floor by storming out to a big lead early at New Westminster’s Queen’s Park Arena.
Whipped like a strong forehand return from Rafael Nadal, the ball seemed to be locked in the ‘Bellies’ zone during a flurry of momentum-setting rushes. And while the end score could resonate as a statement game, the end result knotted the series at 2-2, with each team finding success on the road and starved at home.
“We were pissed off the past two games, we knew it wasn’t our best play,” remarked Coquitlam captain Reid Bowering. “We wanted to show them who we are as a team – we’re the best in the country here.”
Considering they had just come off of back-to-back 6-4 and 7-6 losses at the Poirier Street rink, the Adanacs were all business from the opening whistle. They scored twice before the game was 1:20 old, and after New West’s Ryan Jones cut it to 2-1, Coquitlam replied quickly with Jalen Chaster’s shorthanded effort. The lead just grew from there.
Offensively, the regular season champions were clicking – with eight players getting in on the scoring. That was a big step towards re-establishing control, head coach Pat Coyle said.
“I think that’s sort of what we’ve been looking for the whole time (in this series),” said Coyle. “Our offence really hadn’t had its mojo, but it felt like we did here.”
The turnaround after Game 3, where the ‘Bellies never trailed and broke a 6-6 tie on Jones’ game-winning tally with 3:06 remaining, had to come from a full-team response, he noted.
“We knew we were really close, and I give New West a ton of credit (for) the changes they made. They’re a really tough team.
“(But) there was a part of us who felt we were beating ourselves (in Games 2 and 3).”
Although their lead Tuesday was never threatened, a window opened late in the second period when Coquitlam’s Ryland Rees was handed a double-minor for checking from behind. That four-minute powerplay could have seen New West reclaim a bit of momentum and cut down a five-goal deficit.
The penalty killers, led by netminder Christian Del Bianco, held the line, with the goalie turning back four point-blank shots within a span of 30 seconds.
“That’s Del Bianco, all the time,” said Bowering. “He robs everybody, and we’re so happy to have him. He’s our rock, we’re confident with him and we play confidence because of him.”
Chase Scanlan led Coquitlam shooters with three goals and three assists, while Dennon Armstrong and Colin Munro tallied two apiece. Also scoring were Dylan Foulds, who chipped in five assists, Larson Sundown, with four helpers, Adam Fulton and Bowering. The Adanacs outshot New West 46-45.
Going home for Game 5 tonight (Friday), Coquitlam hopes to pack that momentum along and keep the ‘Bellies’ Tre Leclaire, Keegan Bell and Jones in check.
Bowering expects New West to ramp up their efforts down the stretch, with the prize a ticket to represent B.C. at the Minto Cup national championship tournament in Alberta. He feels his squad has an important edge now.
“We play confident. Those last two games wasn’t us. We’ll be ready for the next few games, and that’s who we are,” said Bowering.
Game 6 will be played Sunday, 5 p.m. at Queen’s Park Arena, with a seventh game, if necessary, going Aug. 7, 7:30 p.m. in Coquitlam.
