The wheeling and dealing is done – now it’s up to the players.
The New Westminster Salmonbellies enter the final weekend of the B.C. Junior A Lacrosse League season with an outside chance at first place.
While they trail defending champion Coquitlam by three points, a six-game win streak has New West feeling pretty good about itself.
Prior to Sunday’s trade deadline, the ’Bellies bulked up their lineup with a handful of acquisitions, from near and far.
The newcomers contributed Tuesday in a solid 10-6 win over Langley.
Tre Leclaire counted three goals and three assists, including the game-winning goal early in the third period as New West broke open a 5-5 game.
Counting a pair each were Keegan Bell and newcomer Ryan Jones, while Taylor Jensen, Nathaniel Kozevnikov and Dalton Lupul also tallied.
Jones, one of the league’s top scorers, was acquired from Delta last week and will be vying for a second Minto Cup title, after being dealt last year to Six Nations.
Kozevnikov was picked up from Langley, along with Bobby Kidd III, for future considerations.
In two games with the ’Bellies, Kozevnikov has five goals, while Kidd chipped in two goals and two assists.
Coupled with the addition of speedster Tanner Poole from Barrie, the team has added depth to its left side and offence, with an eye on trying to knock off 16-2-1 Coquitlam.
“It’s always the goal to get to a Minto Cup but we’ve been running up against (Coquitlam) the last few years,” remarked New West president Walt Weaver. “We’re only getting better with these players, but what’s going to hurt us is losing (Leclaire) for the next bit (to the world field lacrosse championships).”
Leclaire, who sits second in league scoring with 52 goals and 35 assists, will play for Canada at the Israel-hosted tournament, and isn’t expected back until July 23.
New West closes out the regular season on the road against two tough competitors – Coquitlam on Friday, and in Victoria on Saturday.
The playoffs are slated to start next weekend, with the ’Bellies drawing either PoCo or Victoria for a first-round opponent.
