While it’s often said the playoffs are a completely new season, the New Westminster Salmonbellies would like nothing more than to carry some of their recent momentum into the next round.
The ’Bellies open their best-of-seven semifinals on Friday in Maple Ridge, where the rough-and-tumble Burrards will provide the opposition.
With last Thursday’s 19-8 trouncing of the Victoria Shamrocks capping a third-place finish, New West now sets its sights on continuing its ascent up the charts.
“We’ve been up and down all year but I think when you see our last six, seven games we’ve really started to play better, gel more as a team,” remarked ’Bellies head coach Steve Goodwin.
“We’re starting to trust each other inside and outside of the room. Guys just like coming to the rink and playing for each other.”
Maple Ridge, which dropped all three games against the ’Bellies during the regular season, is still the defending Western Lacrosse Association champion, and finished one-point back of Burnaby in the race for top spot.
They were by far the most penalized team in the league, but as Goodwin pointed out, they also had the most powerplay opportunities. That’s going to put pressure on New West’s specialty teams, considering the Burrards like to play on the edge.
“That’s Maple Ridge’s identity; they’ll take penalties but it’s blown out of proportion,” said Goodwin. “We’ve got to play smart, tough lacrosse or we risk giving them some golden opportunities.”
Captain Curtis Hodgson said continuing the same effort, which saw New West win its final five games, outscoring its opponents 72-37 in the process, is the starting point.
“(Maple Ridge) knocked us out of the playoffs last year and they’ll be a tough opponent,” said Hodgson. “Lacrosse is a game of momentum swings. ... The four teams in the playoffs were all really close and all feel they have a chance to make a run. I think our (recent success) is a product of executing our gameplan and being ready to work hard every shift.”
At 11-6-1, the ’Bellies’ season has seen more peaks than valleys, but adversity has given them plenty to work through this year. Their recent streak, which put them two points back of Burnaby, displayed some of their best attributes.
The team's penalty killing has been very strong, noted Goodwin. They've also shown more discipline, and florished with a well-rounded attack.
"Momentum is all about peaking and playing well, and we have been during the streak," he said. "The playoffs are a different animal, with more intensity, but we certainly can keep applying what we've learned and done over the last month into the playoffs.
“Speed-wise we feel we have an edge, and I like our skill,” added Goodwin, who said forward Kevin Crowley could miss one game due to a Major Lacrosse League commitment. “We need to play our game, and I think (home floor advantage) is a little overrated.”
The series starts Friday in Maple Ridge, and returns on Sunday, 7:30 p.m., to Queen’s Park. Game 3 goes next Tuesday in Maple Ridge, and Game 4 is Aug. 10 at Queen’s Park. If necessary, Game 5, 6 and 7 would be played Aug. 12, 14 and 16.
