In the span of 39 seconds, Austin Shanks and Jordan McBride reclaimed the momentum Wednesday for the New Westminster Salmonbellies and set the wheels in motion for an 11-8 victory over the Langley Thunder.
New West, which had dropped its previous two games after launching the season with a win two weeks ago over Langley, shook off determined host to crank out four straight goals in the third.
It proved to be the turning point in a badly-needed win for the 'Bellies.
New West had begun the game on Anthony Malcom's tally at 3:34 against his old team, but the Thunder drew even on James Rahe's powerplay goal three minutes later. The two players were dealt for each other two seasons ago.
McBride and Kevin Crowley, playing in his first game for the Salmonbellies since the 2017 Mann Cup, made it 3-1 by the end of the first period.
In the middle frame, Langley would tie it and battled to take the lead, out-shooting New West 20-13.
That set the stage for Shanks and McBride's rapid momentum changers early in the third period.
Crowley and Shanks would cash in their second of the night to up the visitor's lead to 9-5 with eight minutes to play.
The teams would trade tallies over the final few minutes, with Rahe rounding out his hat trick, while Malcom clinched it with an empty-net marker.
Mike Messenger also scored for New West, while Alexis Buque kicked out 39 shots for the win.
New West, 2-2, hosts Coquitlam tonight (Thursday), 7:30 p.m. at Queen's Park Arena.
