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'Bellie girls rally for provincial overtime win

The New Westminster junior girls Salmonbellies had a goal, and it turned into gold. The squad completed the boxla season in style earlier this month by edging Port Coquitlam 7-6 in the provincial final to capture B.C. bragging rights.

The New Westminster junior girls Salmonbellies had a goal, and it turned into gold.
The squad completed the boxla season in style earlier this month by edging Port Coquitlam 7-6 in the provincial final to capture B.C. bragging rights.
In typical nail-biting fashion, the ’Bellies used every second possible to emerge triumphant. Against the favoured PoCo squad, New West erased a 4-1 deficit and twice forced extra time before the celebration could commence.
“PoCo was the overwhelming favourite and we rose to the challenge,” remarked coach Jamie Stewart. “The kids played phenomenal.”
New West tied it up 5-5 to force a 10-minute overtime period, and after Hannah-Lise Bernoe tallied with six seconds remaining in the extra stanza, the two teams headed into sudden death. That’s where Christel Blesch delivered the decisive goal.
It came on the heels of a strong run through the tourney, with New West beating both Nanaimo and Ridge Meadows by 11-4 and 7-5 scores. The lone blemish came in their second test, a 10-2 loss at the hands of PoCo.
Adding to the emotional moment was how the team had come together and bonded after the death of teammate Erica Malcom’s older sister Olivia last month.
Earning the team’s all-star honour was Nadine Stewart, while Meagan Black was a Warrior Fair Play award recipient.

New West's provincial champions are: Hannah-Lise Bernoe, Meagan Black, Christel Blesch, Kaylee Colville, Caitlin Croxen, Delaney Davidson, Katie Davies, Meaghan Dillon, Monica Disanjh, Shianne Lowka, Emma Machuik, Emily Mackinnon, Erica Malcom, Emily Manville, Kaitlin McDonnell, Emma Morris, Chloe Nottingham, Haley Penner, Andreea Serbaenscu, Jessica Soenen, Nadine Stewart, and Michelle Walmsley. The team was coached by Jamie Stewart, Dwight Moda and Melissa Flintoff.