You can never have enough of a good thing.
It’s a logical conclusion, and one Vancouver Stealth netminder Tye Belanger would endorse – especially when it comes to playing time.
The 26-year-old goalie is a big reason the Stealth are battling for a playoff spot in the National Lacrosse League, as he’s taken on the bulk of the crease work the past month.
“I spent (what) seems like five, six years as a backup goalie, paying my dues and learning my way from guys I’m behind,” said Belanger, of both his NLL and Western Lacrosse Association track record. “You learn from them, how they manage the workload, success and a work ethic.”
The ex-Burnaby Laker is also looking forward to re-establishing his position between the pipes this summer in the WLA, after signing with the New Westminster Salmonbellies this week.
Acquired from New England in an off-season swap, Belanger was expected to bolster the Stealth’s depth between the pipes. With four goalies in camp vying for one job, including Burnaby’s Tyler Richards, the battle was fierce but short of brinkmanship.
“(Richards, Eric Penney) and me, all of us were Brampton property, so we knew each other,” recalled Belanger. “We came into training camp each wanting to show what we can do, that we can be No. 1. It was a good, healthy competition and that’s where I excel, I want an outcome where I can impress the coaches.”
He made the opening tandem, but Vancouver gave Richards the first five starts – understandable after he played well last year and also backstopped them to a 2-0 start this season. It wasn’t until the third game, when the Calgary Roughnecks chased Richards
on eight goals in the first 20 minutes, that Belanger was tapped to go in. While he was saddled with the loss, the six-foot-one netminder earned key marks for holding the Roughnecks to six goals over 40 minutes.
His first start came Jan. 28 in Game 6, where he faced 51 shots in a 14-12 loss to the Georgia Swarm. Ever since then, he’s been their go-to goalie, posting a 3-4 record during that stretch.
No one doubts the Wallaceburg, Ont. native had the chops to start, but after he was cut early last season by Burnaby despite being a second team all-star in 2015, he wondered where his next opportunity would come.
And while his focus is on helping Vancouver return to the playoffs and making a strong run, Belanger has a landing spot for the late spring and summer months, after the New Westminster Salmonbellies acquired his western rights from Brampton and signed him for the season.
Belanger said he’s motivated and eager to win the ’Bellies starting role and help them get to the next level.
“Last year, being dropped by Burnaby was a shock and came out of the blue,” he said. “I went on and had fun playing senior B in Langley, but I really want to get back (to the WLA). The quality of shooters is that much better.
“New West is a proven organization with a goal of pushing for a Mann Cup, and that’s what I want to contribute to.”
Two years ago in Burnaby, Belanger went 8-7 with a 7.85 goals against average. Standing on his head to frustrate the opposition is how he helps his team, and he enjoys the battle and pressure that comes from being part of a competitive goaltending situation.
"We're all fighting for one position," he says of his fellow netminders. "With offensive forwards, they are fighting to be one of the top four or five. We're battling for the No. 1 job, and in practice we push each other to get better. In practice, we're pushing each other to get better."
