The New Westminster Salmonbellies remained in the race for a playoff spot following a 12-9 win over Nanaimo last week.
With the win, the senior A Salmonbellies remained two points out of a potential playoff spot and with a game in hand over fourth-place Langley.
But the final five games of the season are far from a certainty for any of the six teams still in contention for a top-four placing.
Of the six teams trailing first-place Victoria, Burnaby and Maple Ridge are hovering around .500, while the remaining four, including New West, currently sport losing records.
“It’s been a strange season,” said New Westminster head coach Steve Goodwin. “But we look at it as anything is possible.”
Last week, the Salmonbellie back end again helped out with Tyler Crompton earning a second star with a hat trick, including the eventual game-winner.
Colton Clark also garnered three goals for the winners in a four-point night. Alexis Buque got the win in goal for the ’Bellies with 40 stops.
New West jumped out to a 4-0 first-period lead and extended that advantage to 9-3 with three quick goals to start the middle frame.
First star Logan Schuss led all scorers with a goal and six assists.
The Salmonbellies are not at home this Thursday, but instead go on the road for a two-game set on Vancouver Island, beginning Friday against the league-leading Shamrocks.
On Saturday, New West travels up Island for a return match against the Timbermen.
Although a split in the weekend series may not make or break the ’Bellies’ season, it’s all or nothing for those clubs chasing a spot in this season’s playoffs.
Following this weekend, New West completes its regular season with must-win games against Langley, Coquitlam and Maple Ridge.
Goodwin said the team is approaching the remaining season schedule one game at a time.
“We’ve taken everything off the table,” he added. “We’re down a lot of players, but we’ll make it work.”
