The junior A New Westminster Salmonbellies are finding their stride at just the right time.
The Salmonbellies moved into sole possession of second place in the B.C. Junior Lacrosse League standings following a 16-6 victory over the junior Lakers in Burnaby on Sunday.
With just six games remaining in the regular season schedule, the win was New West's fourth in a row since an overtime upset over front-running Coquitlam mid-month.
The 'Bellies started the weekend off with an 11-9 win over the Port Coquitlam Saints.
Team captain Brandon Goodwin was the hero in PoCo, garnering four goals in a six-point night, including three goals in a fourminute span early in the final frame. Keegan Bal tallied the game-winner at 3: 58 of the period.
In Burnaby, Goodwin collected his fourth hat trick of the year, potting three goals along with teammate Reagan Harding in the onesided win over the Lakers.
Drew House led all scorers with six points, including his ninth and 10th goals this season.
Ross Bowman stopped 40 Burnaby shots in the New West goal, allowing a single goal in each of the first two periods.
"I think we've been playing the same all year, but lately we've been ramping (things) up, and it's been showing against Coquitlam and PoCo," said third-year Salmonbellie defender Alex Lohr. "We did what we had to do - take the two points and get going."
Next week will likely be the defining moment for the junior 'Bellies.
After next Tuesday's home game against PoCo, New West must play Delta on the Wednesday and two nights laters take on the Adanacs in Coquitlam.
But Lohr is confident the 11-4-0 Salmonbellies are peaking at just the right time.
"Our defensive transition is really solid. We're not giving up easy goals. Our offence is playing well, and our goaltending is outstanding," Lohr added.
New West played Langley Tuesday (after Record deadlines). The juniors are on the road on Saturday in Nanaimo.
