It was hardly the time or place for the New Westminster Salmonbellies' second straight loss.
The senior A 'Bellies looked less like a three-time Mann Cup finalist and more like any other team in the Western Lacrosse Association following a 9-5 loss to the Coquitlam Adanacs at Queen's Park Arena last Thursday.
Aside from Martin Cummings' game-opening goal, New Westminster gave little indication to the fan faithful that this team was ready to make a fourth straight run for the Mann mug.
"Everyone has been talking about first place and maybe it's getting in our heads," confessed 'Bellies assistant captain Kyle Ross. "Fortunately, we've been bringing our A game most of the season and we've won some close ones. But definitely, it's something were not used to, playing a game like this in our barn."
That game quickly went offline following back-to-back goals from the Adanacs' newly acquired holdout Kevin Olson and the first of a pair of tallies in the period from the hard working Tim Campeau.
Coquitlam carried on its dominance into the middle period, outscoring the frustrated home club 5-1, despite an economy of shots on starter Tyler Richards.
Trailing 9-3 into the final frame, Ross and Ilija Gajic gave the Queen's Park hopeful a brief ray of optimism, scoring 30 seconds apart in the period.
But second star Nick Rose, who made 43 saves in the contest, held firm the rest of the way.
"(Coquitlam) was playing for their lives," Ross added. "From the goalie on out, they were clicking. They were doing what the 'Bellies normally do."
Former Salmonbellies head coach Bob Salt agreed.
"Our guys really played well," said Salt, who is now behind the bench with the A's. "We really haven't played that good this year. We haven't gotten the goaltending, but tonight Rosie played."
First star Cory Conway led all scorers with two goals and four assists for Coquitlam.
Daryl Veltman also chipped in with a five-point night.
Salt said he also sensed a bit of arrogance coming from the Salmonbellie bench.
"(New West) has to get their heads out of the sand," he said. "But to see your old team play like that, I'd be crazy in that dressing room, but I think we made them go flat."
The bottom line for the Salmonbellies is to accept the loss and get back at it in practice, said Ross.
"We're in another tough game against Burnaby (on Thursday). . We have to get back to basics and do what has made us successful," he said.
With all spots in the WLA standings still up for grabs in the final week of the schedule, no game can be taken lightly from here on in.
The Salmonbellies host the desperate Burnaby Lakers at Queen's Park Arena on Thursday. Game time is 7: 45 p.m.
New Westminster then closes out the season in Maple Ridge on Sunday, July 31 at 6: 45 p.m.
tberridge@royalcityrecord.com
