The New Westminster Salmonbellies will enter the Western Lacrosse Association playoffs as the league’s hottest team. But they’ll have time to cool off as the other teams bound for the post-season duke it out to determine the final standings.
In their last game of the regular season, the ’Bellies scored 13 of the match’s final 14 goals to roll over the Victoria Shamrocks 19-8 at Queen’s Park Arena Thursday night. It was the New West’s fifth win in a row and vaulted the team, temporarily at least, into first place with 23 points from an 11-6-1 record.
The Salmonbellies are a point ahead of Maple Ridge (11-6-0), two up on Victoria (10-6-1) and four in front of Burnaby (9-5-1). Since the ’Bellies hold the tiebreaker against the ’Rocks, New West can finish anywhere from first to third, while Victoria can be anywhere between second and fourth.
Victoria’s season ends tonight (Friday) when the Shamrocks play host to the Burnaby Lakers. The Maple Ridge Burrards conclude their season in Coquitlam against the Adanacs (5-11-0) Saturday.
Despite their current fourth-place position, the Lakers have a shot at first. In addition to playing Victoria, the Lakers also have games Saturday in Nanaimo (6-9-1) and at home against Langley (4-13-0) on Tuesday.
On Thursday, Joel McCready was in on half of New West’s goals, scoring three himself and assisting on six. On Friday, he celebrated by signing a two-year National Lacrosse League deal with the Vancouver Stealth.
Mitch Jones had a seven-point performance with four goals and three assists. Logan Schuss notched a hat tricks while Zach Herreweyers had two goals and two assists. Jakob Doucet also scored twice. Singles went to Brett Mydske, Nathan Stewart, Mike Messenger, Quinn Mackay and Anthony Malcom, who added three assists.
The Salmonbellies outshot the Shamrocks 63-56 with Alexis Buque making 48 saves in the New West net.
The league announced the two best-of-seven semifinals will begin next Thursday (Aug. 3) with the top team playing host to the one that finishes four and the third seed visiting the second-seeded team. The two series will alternate venues with games Aug. 5, 7 and 9.
