Shawn Slaght, All Lacrosse All The Time – A Division of Edge of Philly Sports Network
The Coquitlam Adanacs had to battle to complete the comeback 13-11 over the New Westminster Salmonbellies on Thursday night in New Westminster.
Coquitlam found themselves down 4-2 after the first period but battled back with an eight-goal second period to get back into the game.
Once again the Adanacs relied heavily on Christian Del Bianco. It was another game where he faced 60-plus shots, stopping 51 of 62 shots in the victory.
Mitch Jones finally found his groove for the Salmonbellies on Thursday night, with three goals and two assists. However, many of those goals came late in the game as New Westminster was trying to play catch-up.
The win keeps the Adanacs at the top of the standings at 8-3, while the Victoria Shamrocks and Nanaimo Timbermen trail with six wins each. That being said, the Shamrocks have three games in hand, having only played eight games thus far.
Salmonbellies take an early lead
Tom Johnson got the party started for the Salmonbellies, scoring goals at 4:47 and 5:59 as New Westminster jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead.
Adam Dickson replied for the Adanacs at 7:42 to pull Coquitlam within one. Jason Jones restored the two-goal cushion for the ‘Bellies at 8:32.
The two teams continued to exchange goals with Luke Jaber scoring for the Adanacs and Colton Clark for the Salmonbellies. The score remained 4-2 for New Westminster heading into the first intermission.
Big second period for the Adanacs
Coquitlam struck quickly in the second period. Clark Walter took feeds from Brett McIntyre and Adam Dickson 32 seconds into the frame to make it 4-3.
With Anthony Courcelle in the box for crosschecking, the Salmonbellies dug deep with Drew Belgrave scoring shorthanded at 7:58.
Coquitlam then started to slowly chip away at New Westminster’s lead. Goals by Brett Draper and Clark Walter 24 seconds apart tied up the game 5-5.
Haiden Dickson would score for the Salmonbellies at 10:32 to regain the lead. It didn’t last long, however, as Jaber would tie it up again at the 11:27 mark.
Coquitlam would get themselves in penalty trouble. Brett Beetow would head off on an interference call and Silas Richmond made them pay with a power-play marker.
Cue the comeback as the Adanacs would score four straight last in the period. Finding the back of the net was McIntyre, Dylan Watson, Adam Dickson and Clark Walter. Coquitlam held a 10-7 lead heading into the final frame.
Coquitlam completes the comeback
For good measure, McIntyre added another goal for the Adanacs at 3:30 of the third period on the power play to complete a five-goal run for Coquitlam and helped complete the comeback. Mitch Jones finally got on the board 23 seconds later to make the score 11-8 for Coquitlam.
Aiden Guld would get the Adanacs back up by four at the 4:49 mark. An Adanacs too many men call put the Salmonbellies on the power play. Haiden Dickson would capitalize at 8:05 to put New Westminster within three as the clock started ticking down.
With Zach Higgins out for the extra attacker for the Salmonbellies, Levi Anderson fired one into the open net with 1:33 remaining to make it 13-9.
Mitch Jones would add a pair of goals within the last 1:16, but it wasn’t enough to get the Salmonbellies back into the game.
Three Stars
- Brett McIntyre, Coquitlam Adanacs
- Haiden Dickson, New Westminster Salmonbellies
- Evan Downey, Coquitlam Adanacs
Top scorers
Coquitlam Adanacs
Brett McIntyre, 2g 4a
Adam Dickson, 2g 4a
Clark Walter, 3g 1a
New Westminster Salmonbellies
Mitch Jones, 3g 2a
Silas Richmond, 1g 3a
Haiden Dickson, 2g 2a
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Shawn Slaght has been a sports reporter across the Canadian prairies for over 10 years and has experience covering everything from junior hockey to World Cup skiing to all levels of lacrosse. He is the Saskatchewan correspondent for All Lacrosse All The Time.
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