The end result was nice, but what Steve Goodwin liked most was the sweat displayed on all his players’ brows.
The New Westminster Salmonbellies played an exhibition game on Monday, slipping past the Maple Ridge Burrards 9-8 at Queen’s Park Arena.
The score can be forgotten now, since it means squat.
What Goodwin hopes to see replicated – and fine tuned – is more of the hustle and hunger shown by a short-staffed lineup mixed liberally with hopefuls.
“A lot of guys were showing for the first time, and I saw some really good things that I’m happy about,” said Goodwin following the game. “We saw a lot of hustle, and I’m the kind of guy who wants to see the guys go in the corner and get the ball. I don’t want to see them turn around and go to the bench. I want them to go after the ball and I saw a lot of that.”
It wasn’t a masterpiece; that’s for sure.
New West trailed 4-2 early in the second period but turned the tables on the visiting Burrards with six straight goals over 11:30 of playing time.
Up 8-4 with nearly 28 minutes to go, the ’Bellies did their best to hold on – possibly saved by the fact both teams agreed the game would be played under running time, due to less-than-full rosters.
Jordan McBride counted four goals for New West, while Brandon Goodwin scored once and set up three others.
Eric Penney, who recently committed to a second season in Salmonbellies red, played two periods and surrendered four goals.
New West, which finished second overall at 12-6 last year, has an influx of new recruits through a handful of trades and the draft. Few were in the building Monday, due to pro lacrosse or college commitments.
Coach Goodwin said the players who were present can make an impact down the road.
“I’m actually a believer in playing with the players we have. When those other guys get here,then they are here,” he said, referring to the likes of Logan Schuss, Anthony Malcom, Jeff Cornwall, Mitch Jones and first-round pick Michael Messenger. “It’s playing with the guys you have, and you could see from the effort out there tonight that there are guys really fighting for spots who looked pretty good.”
The first few weeks of the regular season, which kicks off May 21 in Coquitlam for the ’Bellies, will still see some key players unavailable. That doesn’t faze Goodwin, though. He feels new blood and true competition for jobs keeps everyone sharp.
“I’m a believer in that. I think you need the young guys to push the older guys. (New West general manager Dan Richardson) and I have talked about that, it’s part of the plan to bring in the young guys to push the old guys, has been and will continue to be every year.
“Nobody is guaranteed a spot.”
New West’s home opener is slated for May 26 against Nanaimo.
