The New Westminster Samonbellies picked up a 10-7 win over the Victoria Shamrocks on Thursday to keep pace with the Langley Thunder for first place in the WLA.
This game was tied midway through the third period. However, New Westminster put together a late three-goal run for the victory.
The win improves the Salmonbellies’ record to 12-3 with three games left in the season. Langley sits on top 13-3 but New Westminster will have a crucial game in hand. New Westminster finishes their season with games against the Burnaby Lakers, Maple Ridge Burrards, and the Nanaimo Timbermen.
As for the Shamrocks, it was a missed opportunity to lock up a playoff spot. Victoria sits in the fourth and final playoff spot at 8-7-1 with two games remaining. They are seven points up on the Burnaby Lakers with Burnaby having four games left.
Victoria puts the pressure on early
It didn’t take long for both teams to get on the board. Anthony Malcom scored only eight seconds into the game for New Westminster. Cole Pickup replied 32 seconds later and it’s tied 1-1 in less than a minute.
Haiden Dickson gave the Salmonbellies the 2-1 lead at 7:25. Brian Robb tied up the game nine seconds later to start a four-goal run for the Shamrocks.
Arthur Miller, Casey Wilson, and Silas Richmond also found the back of the net to give the Shamrocks a 5-2 advantage.
Keegan Bal rounded out the scoring on the powerplay with 32 seconds left to make it 5-3 at the first break.
Salmonbellies fight back to tie it up
Both teams went scoreless for the first 8:20 of the second period. Anthony Malcom broke the ice followed by another Malcom, Will, scoring 25 seconds later.
Bal gave New Westminster the lead 6-5 with 8:15 left on the clock to end a four-goal run for the Salmonbellies.
Patrick Dodds tied it up with 2:23 left as the score was 6-6 heading into the final frame.
Late three-goal run lifts New Westminster to victory
Once again both defenses stood tall at begin the third period as it was scoreless through 6:46.
It was Dickson who broke through for the Salmonbellies before Miller tied it up for Victoria with just under 10 minutes left to play.
Noah Armitage scored the game-winner with 8:54 to help the Salmonbellies keep pace with first place in the WLA standings. Dickson would then add the insurance goal with 2:33 on the clock and Brett Mydske rounded out the scoring to make the final 10-7.
Three Stars
- Anthony Malcom, New Westminster Salmonbellies
- Will Malcom, New Westminster Salmonbellies
- Arthur Miller, Victoria Shamrocks
Top Scorers
Victoria Shamrocks
Marshal King, 2a
Arthur Miller, 2g
Patrick Dodds, 1g 1a
Chris Wardle, 2a
Grant Evans, 2a
Silas Richmond, 1g 1a
Casey Wilson, 1g 1a
New Westminster Salmonbellies
Haiden Dickson, 3g 2a
Will Malcom, 1g 3a
Keegan Bal, 2g 1a
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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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