The Maple Ridge Burrards got a jump on New Westminster and held on to take Game 3 of the Western Lacrosse Association playoff series with a 9-8 win.
Maple Ridge led by as much as 7-2 late in the second period before hanging on for the win against the Salmonbellies at Queen's Park Arena on Sunday.
New West still leads the best-of-seven semifinal playoff two games to one.
After Corbyn Tao's opening goal on a power play midway through the first period, Maple Ridge's Randy Daly quickly tied it up seconds later on a clever unassisted solo effort. He then gave the visitors the lead with a screened shot from the left side that 'Bellies keeper Tyler Richards appeared to not see.
Daly, the game's first star, also assisted on a pair of second-period tallies.
Drew Dickie had a strong game in the Burrards' net, making 35 saves.
"We needed to come out with more energy. (New West) did a good job getting us unfocussed," said Daly of the first two games. "Our back end did a fantastic job today, and it showed in the shots in the first two periods."
Maple Ridge held a 33-20 advantage in shots through 40 minutes.
In the first two games of the series, New West outshot Maple Ridge.
"We didn't come out the way we should have. We came out flat in warmups," said Tao, who led the 'Bellies with four points, including a hat trick.
The first two periods were arguably among the worst this season for the senior Salmonbellies.
From the opening shift, New Westminster was seemingly unable to play a simple game of pass and catch.
Maple Ridge took advantage of the opportunity and held an 11-3 advantage in shots at one point in the first period.
Tao was one of the few Salmonbellies who appeared untouched by the team's clumsy play.
In fact, it was Tao who sparked a mini-resurgence late in the middle period with his second goal of the game.
Tao also helped spark a four-goal rally late in the contest, setting up Martin Cummings at the left crease with a whistling cross-floor pass.
He then tallied his third goal off the bench midway through the period to shave the deficit to a pair of goals.
Jeff Zywicki got the 'Bellies to within a goal at 15: 58 of the third period.
But the Burrards held on, missing an empty net opportunity from mid-floor by Garrett McIntosh on a break with less than two minutes left on the clock.
Cummings also had a chance go wanting, hitting the far post with a shot at the one-minute mark and Richards on the bench for a sixth attacker.
"We need to be more focussed and prepared," Tao said, adding. "I thought we were physical enough, we just have to be smarter."
Game 4 of the series was played Tuesday (after Record deadlines) in Maple Ridge. Game 4 takes place Thursday at Queen's Park Arena at 7: 45 p.m.
