The Coquitlam Adanacs scored four straight goals in the second period to break open a tight defensive struggle and hand the New Westminster Salmonbellies their first loss of the BC Junior A Lacrosse League season, 9-7, Tuesday at Queen’s Park Arena.
The win was the Adanacs’ sixth in a row, and solidifies their grip on first place in the league standings, six points ahead of the ‘Bellies. New West does have three games in hand, though.
But after Tuesday’s result, they’re going to need to win all of those if they’re to have any hope of challenging Coquitlam.
After matching each other shot-for-shot and goal-for-goal through the first period that ended at 2-2 with each side firing 11 shots on net, the Adanacs hit the floor in the second period determined to exert their position as the top Junior A lacrosse team in the province. Ryan Sinkie launched the assault just a little less than four minutes into the frame, then Keenan Koswim and Philip Buque scored 20 seconds apart to put the visitors in front 5-2 before the game was half over. Dennon Armstrong added another before Larson Sundown was able to finally answer for the Salmonbellies.
But just over a minute later Ethan Ticehurst restored Coquitlam’s four-goal advantage when he scored shorthanded after Julian Infanti was assessed a minor penalty for using illegal equipment. Infanti’s infraction also got him tossed from the game.
The Salmonbellies found some life in the third. Two straight power play goals by Connor Robinson and Colton Bykowsky put the home side within two goals. Then Bykowsky narrowed the margin to one with his second goal of the game.
Thomas Semple gave Coquitlam some insurance when he converted a Tommy Scanlan pass with less than four minutes to play. It turns out they needed it, as Charlie Kurtenbach caused some sweaty palms on the Adanacs bench when he beat Coquitlam keeper Christian Del Bianco with just 44 seconds left on the clock and New West netminder Erik Kratz on the bench for the extra attacker.
But any hope of a successful comeback was snuffed just 24 seconds later by Coquitlam’s John Hofseth, with his first goal of the game along with two assists.
Armstrong and Semple also had three-point nights for the visitors.
The Salmonbellies’ attack was led by Connor Robinson, who scored twice and added three assists.
Coquitlam fired 41 shots at Kratz, while Del Bianco stopped 31 of the 38 shots he faced.
The Adanacs will try to extend their win streak to seven on Friday, when they visit the Port Coquitlam Saints at the PoCo Rec Centre at 8:00 p.m.
