If there was a premonition of how the season would end, the New Westminster bantam A2 Salmonbellies may have seen it two months ago at home.
In the Hyack tournament, the ’Bellies needed a huge rally to overcome a three-goal deficit to claim the title over Comox Valley.
They scored seven unanswered goals over two periods for that decision.
Now flash forward to two weeks ago, where the two teams met again in a big game – this time for provincial bragging rights.
New West didn’t need the come-from-behind magic, but required a standout performance from netminder Jaden Mendoza-Stewart to protect the lead in a dramatic 5-4 victory, earning squad the provincial gold.
Up 4-1 thanks to some good execution and some finish on the powerplay, New West faced some push-back from the Islanders, who pulled it within one but were held at bay the rest of the game.
The netminder was chosen the final game MVP, as the ’Bellies captured a banner for Queen’s Park.
Scoring twice in the final was assistant captain Reid Hinds-MacDonald.
The route to the final wasn’t quick or easy. Although they doubled Kam-loops 8-4 and stopped Peninsula 8-3 in the first two tests, archrival Vancouver provided the ’Bellies with a 7-6 setback. Despite the loss New West still advanced to the semifinals, where they withstood a forceful rally to defeat Chilliwack 11-9.
Eric Rhode was chosen as New West’s Warrior Fair Play award recipient, while captain Adam Guthrie picked up the team’s all-star honour.
The team overcame various challenges during the season, including having head coach Gord Parker sidelined due to injuries he suffered in a car accident. Parker attended the final win, while the bench duties were ably handled by Justin Digby, and Jason Bishop and Kevin Stewardson.
The ’Bellies lineup includes: Noah Cecic, Josh Faria, Noah Faria, Tayce Ferguson, Adam Guthrie, Reid Hinds-MacDonald, Kyle Jamieson, Austin Jones, Noah Manolson, Jaden Mendoza Stewart, Lukas Nielsen, Luke Phelan, Simon Poole, Eric Rhode, Luke Soenen and Matthew Takacs.
