A touring group of U.S. lacrosse players transferred their field skills to the box and nearly exited Queen’s Park with a win.
However, the New Westminster intermediate A Salmonbellies put in a comeback clinic, scoring seven unanswered third period goals to eke out a 10-9 win in the exhibition contest.
Finn Stark’s second goal of the game came with 0.7 seconds left on the clock to secure the victory.
The U.S. under-18 team, which included players from mostly western states, featured a handful of collegiate scholarship recipients and coached by ex-Western Lacrosse Association players Ben Prepchuk and Shaydon Santos.
While New West took to the floor with just 12 runners and without their leading scorer Nick Hannay, they shook off a 9-3 deficit with a flurry of third-period markers. Parker Johnson counted three goals and two assists, while Will Malcom tallied all three of his goals in the final frame.
But with the game deadlocked 9-9, the U.S. found themselves with a chance to reclaim the lead off a penalty shot with 1:30 left. Netminder Cam Molesworth stood his ground and turned the shooter back, setting up Stark’s game-winning moment.
It was part of a five-game tour of B.C. Intermediate A teams, with the U.S. posting its lone win in Richmond.
New Westminster, meanwhile, currently sits seventh overall in the B.C. Intermediate A League standings at 7-9 with two games remaining.
