It’s run-the-table time for the New Westminster Salmonbellies.
The senior A Western Lacrosse Association club split its Vancouver Island matchups last weekend, losing 13-5 in Victoria on Friday before bouncing back with a 9-6 win in Nanaimo on Saturday.
The win left the Salmonbellies in a three-team tie with Langley and Coquitlam for the fourth and final playoff spot.
With three games left and the next two against Langley at home on Thursday and in Coquitlam on Saturday, the Salmonbellies have no reason to give up on the season just yet.
But without the help of New West’s transition, things might have been much worse.
In Victoria, New West hung with the league leaders 3-3 on first-period goals by defenders Curtis Hodgson, Jeff Cornwall and first-round draft pick Brendan Ranford, but fell off the pace in the middle frame following a 6-0 spanking.
The ’Bellies got one back in the third period off the opening faceoff on the first of two by righthander Colton Clark, but the Shamrocks regained control with Corey Small and Rhys Duch closing out the period.
Neil Tyacke came on in relief of starter Alex Buque late in the second period. Tyacke and Buque combined for 32 stops.
Cody Hagedorn posted his third win of the season for Victoria, stopping 37 shots on goal.
In Nanaimo, Ranford and Cornwall garnered the first and second game stars, respectively, with two goals apiece to again lead the Salmonbellie attack.
Ranford sparked a four-goal finish to a 6-1 first period, with back-to-back counters less than five minutes apart.
Clark and Martin Cummings both scored in the final minute of the period to give New West its margin of victory.
Buque got the start and recorded his fifth win of the season in the Salmonbellies’ net.
New West will host Langley at Queen’s Park Arena on Thursday at 7:45 p.m. The ’Bellies then face the Adanacs in Coquitlam on Saturday in another must-win games this weekend.
