The New Westminster Salmonbellies got a lesson in the importance of solid goaltending.
The junior A Salmonbellies came out on the short end of an 1110 score in their season-opener against the Victoria Shamrocks.
New West fell behind 8-3 before starting goalie Michael Flintoff was replaced with backup Tyler Landry midway through the second period at Bear Mountain Arena on Saturday.
Josh Byrne, who tallied 24 points as an intermediate callup last season, led a third-period New West rally scoring two goals and assisting on Connor Robinson's 10-10 game-tying tally at 16: 15 of the period.
First-year 'Rock Max Fredrickson quickly regained the lead for Victoria with his game-winning hat-trick goal 17 seconds later on Landry.
New Westminster outshot Victoria by a wide margin, 57-39, but third-year keeper Cody Hagedorn was sharp between the pipes for the home club, making 47 saves for the club's first win.
The junior 'Bellies took on the Coquitlam Adanacs at home on Tuesday (after Record deadlines). New Westminster is back at Queen's Park Arena next Sunday for an afternoon date with the Nanaimo Timbermen.
