Taking a page from the Pittsburgh Penguins likely wasn’t on the minds of the New Westminster junior Salmonbellies at the start of the season. But if their journey can emulate the NHL Stanley Cup champions, New West will gladly take it.
Cued by a well-balanced attack, the Bellies are among the B.C. Junior A Lacrosse League’s troika of trend setters this season, chasing dreams of a Minto Cup.
New West joined the ranks of Coquitlam and Delta by posting its 10th win of the season Tuesday, blasting the Burnaby Lakers 15-5 with an attack that at times mirrors the Crosby, Malkin and Kessel juggernaut which just copped hockey’s top cup.
Coach Todd Stockdale, who earned his stripes as a player on defence, says things are falling into place at the proper time.
“I actually didn’t see anything before (coming here),” said Stockdale, who coached senior A last year. “It was good that I didn’t have any type of opinion on anyone, I just knew how I wanted us to play and what we needed to do. Having them play with emotion, moving the ball it’s made everyone accountable instead of just one guy getting the ball. Now they all can have it.”
Stockdale has his team moving and the ball jumping from stick to stick. Where the players move and when they shoot remains in their hands.
For third-year forward Connor Robinson, it’s working like a charm. He’s currently atop the league scoring race with 36 goals and 41 assists in 14 games, just four points ahead of teammate Adam Dickson.
“This year, the coach has given us a system to run and said we can work it or work out of it and play your game. I think I attribute it to my type of game, how I like to play,” said Robinson, 20. “If I see a spot I’ll go, or if other guys see a spot they can go.”
It certainly worked Tuesday, as New West broke open a 5-3 game by counting eight straight goals to run away with the game.
Johnny Pearson counted four goals and two assists, while Dickson netted a hat trick. Colton Bykowsky, Mitchell Stokes and Robinson each tallied twice, while Jeremy Bosher and Mitchell Macaulay added singles.
It came four days after New West fell 15-10 to Delta in a key battle for second place.
“It’s one of those times we couldn’t get going, so you put it behind you,” said Stockdale. “They got to us a couple of times and our defence struggled a bit.”
The two teams are tied for second place, both with 10 wins, but Delta has two games in hand. The Coquitlam Adanacs, meanwhile, remain unbeaten at 12-0.
Getting to contend for a Minto Cup in August remains the ultimate target, said Robinson.
“It would mean everything,” said Robinson. “I grew up here and started playing lacrosse at three years old, watching the senior Bellies, watching the junior Bellies and have two older brothers that played. They were not as successful so winning here would mean a lot… I think we’re the team to do it.”
New West hosts Nanaimo on Sunday, 5 p.m. at Queen’s Park. On June 21, the Adanacs pay a visit to New West for an 8 p.m. faceoff.
