The Langley Thunder was a sitting duck for New Westminster defender Jakob Doucet.
The final year junior scored his second career hat trick to help lead New West to a 15-4 victory over the Thunder in the Hyacks’ B.C. Junior Lacrosse League home opener at Queen’s Park Arena on Tuesday.
Doucet, who scored 10 times and sported a 52 per cent scoring average last season, tallied on all three of his shots in the second period, including a pair right off a faceoff.
“The team is really coming together. The young guys are hungry for the last couple of (roster) spots,” Doucet said after the game.
Second-year lefthander Connor Robinson moved to the top of the league scoring parade with a six-point outing, including five assists.
Newcomer Johnny Pearson led all scorers with four goals and two helpers in his debut in the Salmonbellies red and blue.
Riley Glemnitz also scored in his first game with the ’Bellies, opening the scoring in the second minute with a wicked underhand shot for the first of his three.
Ross Bowman looked ready for the season in his first start in goal, stopping 13 shots in the opening frame to help give the home team a 4-0 advantage at the first interval.
The victory was New Westminster’s third in a row, placing last season’s Minto Cup finalist in a second-place tie with Delta, just one point behind frontrunning Coquitlam.
The top four teams, including Victoria, are already distancing themselves from the rest of the field after just two weeks of play.
Remaining in contention will come down to practising what you preach, said Doucet.
“I’m a big believer in practising like you play,” he said.
“I feel like the veteran guys have to show the leadership from last year and push the guys in practice.”
New West is on the Island on Saturday against Victoria.
The juniors are back at home on May 13 for a meeting with the Port Coquitlam Saints at 8 p.m.
