A strong third period helped the New Westminster Salmonbellies take Game 1 in the B.C. Junior Lacrosse League playoffs with Victoria.
The junior A Salmonbellies posted an early 5-1 lead against the visiting Shamrocks at Queen's Park Arena before having to claw back into the lead with less than two minutes left on the clock in a 12-10 win over Victoria on Saturday.
The two teams are back at it in Game 2 of the best-of-three playoff this afternoon at the Panorama rec centre in Victoria.
Luke Gillespie got the home team off to a sizzling start, scoring on a rebound off the back boards following the opening faceoff.
But in what would become a later trend in the contest, Victoria came right back 11 seconds later, tying the score on Paul Brebber's first of three goals in the game.
Brebber, picked up in a late trade with Nanaimo, scored the 8-7 go-ahead marker midway through the second period on a diving shot through the crease while shorthanded.
Victoria exploited New West's uncharacteristic lack of defence, finishing out the middle period with two more goals on starter Frankie Scigliano.
But led by their captain Brandon Goodwin with his fourth marker of the match, New West rallied for four unanswered goals, including the Anthony Malcom's 10-10 game-tying goal on a break.
Defender Tom Newton feathered a perfect long pass into Malcom's stick and the crafty transition runner buried his 10th of the season behind Keenan Lambright, who came in for starter Cody Hagedorn midway through the opening period.
Keegan Bal, with his second goal and sixth point in the game, tallied the game-winner in the final minute.
Gillespie sealed the win with his second of the game.
"Usually, we're a defence out-style of team but tonight the offence saved us," said Newton after the game. "Honestly, it does give us a bit of confidence to see we had a bit of adversity and could battle back.
"But it would be nice to go bang, bang, and get the series done."
If necessary, Game 3 will be back at Queen's Park Arena on Tuesday, beginning at 5 p.m.
