Hat tricks were on the top of the menu for four New Westminster Salmonbellies.
Jeremy Bosher, Johnny Pearson, Quinn McKay and Chris Nasato all scored three times in multi-point outings for the ’Bellies in Tuesday’s 19-7 romp over the Port Coquitlam Saints at Queen’s Park Arena.
Connor Robinson, who continues to lead the B.C. Junior Lacrosse League in scoring with 33 total points, helped out on six Salmonbellie scores to pump up his league-leading assists to 22.
“We’re pretty excited,” said the second-year lefty after the game. “A lot more depth is back now.”
With all but a handful of this season’s junior A crop back from school, New Westminster mowed down the winless PoCo club, outscoring the Saints 12-2 in the first two periods, before giving the visitors more room on the attack in the final period.
But despite a 5-0 record and a league-topping 114 assists, Robinson maintains New Westminster is still the underdog in the run for the regular season title.
All but one of New West’s wins to date have come against Nanaimo, Langley and PoCo, which collectively have just two wins in 15 games between them. The Salmonbellies did beat Victoria decisively 17-8 on the road this weekend.
The junior ’Bellies are currently ranked fourth in Canada and behind Coquitlam in a recent LacrosseTalk weekly poll.
“But I think if we put in the work, we’ll be good,” Robinson added.
Already looking ready to step into his role as one of the top transition players in the league is second-year Alex Bohl, who doubled this season’s points to date with two goals and three assists.
White Rock’s Adam Dickson also looked good in his Salmonbellies’ debut, scoring a pair, including the game’s first goal at 28 seconds.
Luke Gillespie had two goals and four points in his first game back. Michael Flintoff played a strong 40 minutes until the New West defence gave PoCo the green light on goal in the final period.
New West outshot the hapless Saints 72-31.
The junior Salmonbellies should be tested by Delta, despite the Islanders’ two straight losses to Langley and Burnaby last week, when they meet in Langley this Saturday.
New West is back at home next Tuesday, May 20 against the rejuvenated Lakers.
