The New Westminster Salmonbellies will enter the Western Lacrosse Association playoffs on a four-game win streak.
The senior A Salmonbellies chalked up their fourth straight win last Thursday, unceremoniously dumping the Maple Ridge Burrards 9-3 in their final regular season game at Queen’s Park Arena.
In a game, where both teams at times appeared at half throttle, New West wanted to be the better team and was.
Newcomer Cory Takahara sparked a ’Bellies five-goal second period and Neil Tyacke, getting just his sixth start this season made the best of his opportunity, stopping 42 shots on goal for his second win of the year.
“We’re on a bit of a roll and we wanted to keep that going into the playoffs,” Tyacke said after the game. “We just wanted to keep that mentality.
“It gives us a ton of confidence when you’re getting balanced scoring. Pushing the ball up the floor, that’s what we have to do. It’s a huge part of our game.”
Colton Clark gave a good account of himself from the back end, scoring three times off transition, two of them coming off turnovers.
While the Burrards’ scoring leader Riley Loewen and recent Canadian world championship star Curtis Dickson took the warmup, neither dressed for the final game of the season.
Without its two stars, Maple Ridge had little punch to its offence.
Frankie Scigliano, who led all goalies in goals against and save percentage this season, was not at his best either, allowing seven goals on 28 shots before giving way to backup Jeremy Funk in the third period.
But for New West, a 9-9 fourth-place finish is plenty to cheer about after its 2-7 start to the season.
In fact, New West likes its chances in what many believe is a mismatched first-round series against the 14-2-2 Victoria Shamrocks.
“Very much so, we’re up to a big challenge,” said Tyacke. “But we’re definitely underdogs in this case.”
New Westminster opens the best-of-seven playoff in Victoria today (Wednesday).
Game 2 is at Queen’s Park Arena on Friday at 6 p.m.
