The New Westminster Salmonbellies made a definitive defensive statement with a 5-4 victory over the Burnaby Lakers last week.
The senior A Salmonbellies stopped the Burnaby win streak at three games behind a stellar night in goal by Neil Tyacke.
The former backup, who has started all eight games for the Fishmen this season, had perhaps his best outing to date, earning the No. 1 game star with 49 saves in the cage.
"I just think our pressure gets to them," said Tyacke after the game. "That's our game. We want them to have short possessions. It makes it easy for us, and everything worked perfect for us tonight."
Jordan McBride got his first of two goals in the opening minutes of the game, scoring on the power play from Keegan Bal, who is leading all rookies with 28 points, including six goals, this season.
Jackson Decker tied the game midway through the period, but New Westminster quickly answered back with goals by second overall pick Logan Schuss and Ilija Gajic, with his first of two counters.
Gajic led off the middle period to give the home team a 41 lead, but former Salmonbellie junior Justin Salt got one back for Burnaby in a period the Lakers outshot New West 26-11.
McBride got the eventual game-winning tally off a right-side screen at the four-minute mark of the third period.
McBride leads the team in scoring with 17 goals and 30 total points.
Another former Salmonbellie, Pete McFetridge, scored for Burnaby on transition, while club scoring leader Dane Stevens got his first goal on the short man for the Lakers.
Tyacke would not allow another goal in the final 10 minutes of play.
At the other end of the floor, Burnaby keeper Dan Lewis also earned a game star for his 44-save effort in a goalie matchup where both backstoppers shone.
Tyacke heaped much of the praise on the players in front of him.
"We have the players for (the new system we're playing)," he said. "(Coach Steve Goodwin) recognized that, and we drafted for that. It's the perfect fit. We have the speed, and we really need the speed to play it."
After a rough four games in seven days last week that the Salmonbellies split 2-2, New West faces another three matches in five days in perhaps the most difficult stretch in the league schedule.
New West meets 52 LangleyThunder today (Wednesday) at the Langley Events Centre.
The 'Bellies are then back at home at Queen's Park Arena for a date with the visiting Nanaimo Timbermen. Game time Thursday is earlier at 7 p.m.
New Westminster finishes off the weekend with a return date in the Hub City against the last-place T-Men.
The Victoria Shamrocks currently lead the WLA with a 6-2 record.
Maple Ridge and Langley are two points back, with the Thunder having a two-game advantage on the Burrards.
New Westminster and Burnaby are tied for fourth spot, a further two points behind.
