Tests of character can bring out the best in a team.
The New Westminster junior A Salmonbellies had an answer to the question of how they'd react with their backs to the wall on Wednesday, rallying to beat the Delta Islanders 15-13 in Ladner to stay alive in the best-of-seven B.C. Junior A Lacrosse League semifinal.
In a game where the two teams piled up 21 goals over the first 40 minutes, the game came down to a short span of time in the third period when the Bellies -- who trail the series 3-2 -- cashed in five straight markers to erase a two-goal deficit.
The series returns to Queen's Park Arena for Game 6 on Friday.
Connor Robinson's fourth marker of the night, coming with 9:51 to play in the game, proved to be the game winner. It was part of a dominating stretch where New West answered back after Delta extended its lead in a game where the home team were ahead by a slim margin for much of the opening 40 minutes. Also scoring in that span for the Bellies were Jeremy Bosher, Colton Bykowsky, Adam Dickson and Johnny Pearson.
Capping it was how the defence and netminder Erik Kratz kept the Islanders to just two goals, despite the home squad getting 16 shots on net.
Bosher tallied three goals and six assists, while Robinson chipped in one helper with his four tallies. Picking up two goals apiece were Mitchell Flintoff and Dickson.
It was a forceful response by New West, who had struggled over the previous two games, the most recent an unsettling 12-6 setback to the Islanders at Queen’s Park on Tuesday.
It gave Delta a 3-1 series lead in their best of seven B.C. Junior A Lacrosse semifinal, where the the series winner advances to the league final to face Coquitlam and also the Minto Cup tournament in Langley.
Deadlocked 2-2 after 20 minutes, things fell apart when the Islanders exploded for seven goals en route to a 9-4 lead.
It was the second straight game that New West had been doubled-up on by the aggressive Islanders.
“We’ve just got to go back to Game 2,” referenced New West coach Todd Stockdale prior to Wednesday's contest, recalling the Bellies dominated in a 9-6 win earlier in the series. “If we don’t run the floor (better), connect on our passes or make better shots, we’re in trouble.”
Delta counted three quick goals to start the middle frame, all off the stick of Chase Fraser, then answered back after Johnny Pearson scored New West’s third tally of the night with four more.
Fraser finished with six goals, five of which came in a nine-minute span of the second period.
New West got two goals and an assist from Brine Rice, while Jeremy Bosher scored once and set up three others.
Delta’s Kevin Orleman turned back 40 shots, while the tandem of Erik Kratz and Leighton Manuel faced 44 shots. in the Bellies net.
Stockdale said with a berth into the Minto Cup tournament on the line – B.C.’s top two teams advance to the four-team tourney which starts next month in Langley – he knows his players are going to leave it all on the floor.
“It’s the character of our guys not to give up. You could see it (Tuesday), but it just seemed every bounce went the other way.”
In Game 3, the host Islanders ripped open a 5-0 lead before New West replied.
Fraser and former Burnaby captain Aidan Milburn each potted hat tricks for Delta. Bosher, with four goals, and Darrin Wilson, with two, led the Bellies attack.
The series continues Friday, 8 p.m. at Queen's Park Arena. A seventh and deciding game, if necessary, would be played Sunday, 5 p.m. in Ladner.
