It's been a frustrating one step forward and one step backward for the senior A New Westminster Salmonbellies.
For the second consecutive week, the Salmonbellies have won at home, only to stumble away from Queen's Park Arena in the quest to get over .500 in the Western Lacrosse Association this season.
Last week, was no different, as the Salmonbellielike defence of old provided an 8-5 scoreline against the Burnaby Lakers on Thursday.
The following day, New Westminster lost its focus for spells in the first and third periods to drop a 12-10 decision to the Victoria Shamrocks at Bear Mountain Arena on Friday.
While the 'Bellies are near unbeatable at home, their 1-4-0 record on the road is currently amongst the worst in the seven-team WLA.
It was difficult to see how on Thursday.
New West took a 3-1 advantage in the opening period on goals by Kevin Crowley, Kyle Ross and first star Ilija Gajic, with his first of two shorthanded markers in the match, coming within a minute of each other midway through the period.
Burnaby tied things up early in the second frame, taking good advantage of a five-on-three advantage on the power play.
But Crowley re-established the lead on a penalty shot and second star Sean Robinson, with the second of a hat trick, regained the lead for good for the home club.
Tyler Richards backstopped the win, aggressively challenging the shooters while making 37 saves in goal.
"Our team starts from the back end," said Salmonbellie defender Wade Dewolff. "Everyone wants to play their best to beat us, but we're still the team to beat."
But in Victoria, New West squandered a 2-0 start with four unanswered goals in a four-minute span late in the opening period, and then had a bigger breakdown in the third, which undid the good of a 4-0 middle period by the 'Bellies.
Up 7-4 early in the final frame on Jeff Zywicki's 12th goal of the year, Victoria splurged for seven straight scores, including Jeff Shattler's fourth goal of the game and game-winner off the shortman to turn the tables on the visitors.
Backup Neil Tyacke recorded his second loss of the season in the New West cage, despite stopping 44 shots. Tyacke's 0.811 save percentage is currently fifth-best in the league.
"We're working through our hiccups and bumps in the road, and we're getting better and better," Dewolff added.
But it will take more of a consistent effort like that exhibited against the Lakers for New West to move up in the tight WLA league.
"(The Salmonbellies) defence set the tone tonight that we weren't able to break down," said Burnaby head coach Bob Johnston. "Their defence dominated the game."
New Westminster is in Langley on Wednesday in the club's only game this week. Game time is 8 p.m.
The Salmonbellies next home game will be July 5 against the Maple Ridge Burrards.
