The road away from Queen's Park Arena has been a lonely one for the New Westminster Salmonbellies lacrosse team.
The senior A 'Bellies lost their seventh game away from home this season, following a 9-7 loss to the Victoria Shamrocks at Bear Mountain Arena on Tuesday.
The loss left the defending league champions alone in fifth place in the Western Lacrosse Association standings with just three games left to play in the regular season.
New West fell behind 4-1 early in the second period after third star Alex Gajic's opening period counter.
The 'Bellies trailed 83 early in the final frame, before mustering a concerted four-goal rally that stalled after Corbyn Tao's second of the game at 14: 35.
The gameclinching goal came from an unlikely source, as Ben McCullough scored his first-ever WLA goal into an empty net with the final seconds clicking down.
"I think we still have our destiny in our hands. It was a tough loss," said New Westminster head coach Ken Thomas.
Gajic led all 'Bellies with four points, including a hat trick.
Tao and Ilija Gajic had two goals and one assist apiece.
Jeff Zywicki chipped in with three helpers.
Tyler Richards took the loss in goal with 38 stops.
With the win, Victoria moved into a three-way tie for second place with both the Coquitlam Adanacs and Burnaby Lakers. All three teams have 16 points and four games remaining.
Burnaby and Coquitlam are scheduled to play each other twice more in the final eight days of the schedule in what is the tightest race for a WLA playoff spot in memory.
In comparison, New Westminster has one less game remaining, including the season finale on July 29 in Maple Ridge.
The Salmonbellies' other two remaining games are both at Queen's Park Arena, where the club boasts a league-best 6-1-0 home record.
"I think it's fantastic for the league," Thomas added. "It's really what sets this league apart from what takes place back East. In the next two weeks, we're going to see big crowds. It will be lots of fun."
New West played sixthplace Nanaimo at Queen's Park Arena on Thursday (after Record deadlines).
New Westminster's final home game is the following Thursday against Coquitlam on July 26.
