The New Westminster Salmonbellies need help from Burnaby to have a chance of a berth into the Western Lacrosse Association playoffs.
With just two games remaining, the senior A 'Bellies will likely need a pair of wins - most importantly the Thursday home date versus the Adanacs - that would give them the season series against Coquitlam in the case of a tie.
Last week, New West got inspired performances from rookie Logan Schuss and goalie Neil Tyacke in a 13-8 victory over Burnaby
at Queen's Park Arena last Thursday.
But the following night in Victoria, New West took a step back following a 15-6 loss to the runner-up Shamrocks.
"We're going into every game one game at a time," said Schuss, who counted five goals and three assists in Thursday's key win. Schuss was not in the lineup in Victoria.
Tyacke stopped 54 shots for his fifth win at home.
In Victoria, Curtis Hodgson and team scoring leader Jordan McBride, with his team-best 30th goal of the season, got the visitors out to an early lead.
But the 'Rocks closed
the period with four unanswered goals, and added six more in the middle period to lead 10-4 heading into the final frame.
The loss in the Capital City left New Westminster in sixth place with a record of 6-9-1, but just two wins out of a possible fourth place.
"We just have to accept it as it comes," added Schuss. "We're preparing very hard - mentally and physically - for these games."
Against Burnaby, McBride and rookie righthander Keegan Bal joined Ilija Gajic, all with fourpoint nights.
McBride created some separation in an otherwise
close contest late in the second period, sparking a four-goal rally that proved the difference in the contest.
Gajic got the eventual game-winner on a delayed penalty 29 seconds into the final frame.
Rookie Richard Lachlan also potted his first WLA goal as a Salmonbellie later in the period.
Tonight (Wednesday), New Westminster faces a tough test against the league champion Thunder at the Langley Events Centre.
Win or lose, the Salmonbellies must win their final home game of the season against the Coquitlam Adanacs on
Thursday to have any chance of making the post season. Both games are 7:45 p.m. starts.
The Burnaby Lakers locked up one of the playoff spots, outlasting the slumping Maple Ridge Burrards 10-9 at the Bill Copeland Sports Centre last Friday.
The Lakers held a 10-6 advantage on former junior 'Bellie Justin Salt's second breakaway goal in the game.
League scoring leader and also a former New West junior, Curtis Dickson, sparked a lastminute Burrards' rally, tallying two of his four markers in the final minute of play.
