The New Westminster Salmonbellies moved out of the Western Lacrosse Association basement.
The senior A Salmonbellies scored a much-needed two point following a 10-8 victory over the Burnaby Lakers at the Bill Copeland Sports Centre last Friday.
The win, coupled with Burnaby’s 8-2 victory in Nanaimo on Saturday, allowed the Queen’s Park club to vacate the league cellar with just its third win this season.
New West, which lost to the Lakers in overtime back in May, held the lead for all but a brief spell in the opening period.
Sean Robinson opened the scoring from Jesse Fehr and game star Richard Lachlan at the one-minute mark.
Captain Curtis Hodgson made it 2-0 on an assist from New West’s first-round draft pick Brendan Ranford, in his first game since helping the Texas Stars with the American Hockey League Calder Cup earlier this month.
Jordan McBride led the ’Bellies with his fourth hat trick of the season and his eighth career game-winner at 5:52 of the final frame.
Lachlan scored his second of the game to lead off the third period, assisted by junior callup Luke Gillespie, who tallied his first WLA goal late in the second period.
Hodgson also collected a couple of goals.
Alexis Buque chalked up his second win of the season, stopping 33 shots in the New West cage. Former Salmonbellies’ keeper Tyler Richards took the loss.
Robert Church led all scorers with four tallies, including an unassited goal midway through the third period that closed the deficit to 9-8.
New West hosts the Coquitlam Adanacs, hot off an 11-8 win over the previously unbeaten Victoria Shamrocks, at Seats for Soldiers night at Queen’s Park Arena this Thursday.
The Salmonbellies then finish their season series against Burnaby on Friday at the Bill Copeland centre. Game times are 7:45 p.m.
