Nothing less than the best will do for the New Westminster Salmonbellies.
The senior A 'Bellies played what was arguably their best game of the Western Lacrosse Association season, downing the Victoria Shamrocks 13-12 at Queen's Park last Thursday.
With four games left in the regular season, the win put New Westminster instantly back in the playoff mix, but with a tough week upcoming against Burnaby at home on Thursday and a return match in Victoria the following day.
In New West, the 'Bellies got big games from Jordan McBride and rookie right-hander Keegan Bal, who had a career night with four goals and two assists.
First-year starter Neil Tyacke was also sharp, stopping 48 of 60 shots on goal.
"It felt like there was a lot of energy in the building," said New Westminster head coach Steve Goodwin. "We got a little life with Maple Ridge losing those two games."
The Salmonbellies trail the slumping fourth-place Burrards, who have dropped seven of their last 10 games to date, by just three points, with a game in hand.
New West went on a four-goal run early in the opening period against the 'Rocks, sparked by the first of two first-period goals by rookie transition runner Jeff Cornwall.
The 'Bellies continued to put the pressure on the visitors, staying at least one goal ahead for most of the way on goals by McBride and Bal until Kyle Ross potted the game-winner with just over four minutes left to play.
"We're getting closer," Goodwin said. "We need to do what we can. We played as well as we can play (against Victoria). We ran hard."
For the rest of the season, it's up to the players to recapture that effort each and every outing, Goodwin added.
"This is a season that we and other teams are proving that if you're not on and don't have your momentum going - it's a difficult league," he said. The next step is to go on that run."
New West will get a chance to stop Burnaby's three-game win streak at Queen's Park Arena on Thursday. The following night, New West is in Victoria. Both games are 7: 45 p.m. starts.
