Consider the first challenge done.
Now, the New Westminster junior A Salmonbellies are ready for the showdown.
The ’Bellies scored the game’s first nine goals and looked the part of Minto Cup challengers by defeating the Port Coquitlam Saints 10-3 on Tuesday, wrapping up their best-of-five B.C. Junior A Lacrosse League series in a three-game sweep.
While the score stood at 1-0 for much of the first period, Nathaniel Kozevnikov doubled it with six minutes left, and was followed by a four-goal flurry to make it 6-0 after 20 minutes. New West would lead 9-0 before PoCo replied, and by that time the die had been cast.
Erik Maas finished with two goals and three assists, while Ryan Jones tallied once and set up four others.
Kozevnikov finished with two goals on the day, while singles went to Keegan Bell, Cam Garlin, Charlie Kurtenbach, Dalton Lupul and Tanner Poole.
For Bell, the value of a quick start in Game 3 wasn’t lost on the squad, especially after falling behind 5-1 in the series opener – one that New West rallied to win with six unanswered goals.
“We really wanted to make sure we had a hot start (Tuesday),” said Bell. “We got out to a quick start, and against teams like Coquitlam or Victoria you can’t come out slow in the first period. You have to get going right away. We wanted to hit the ground running.”
Coming on the heels of 6-2 and 8-6 decisions earlier in the series, Tuesday’s result also demonstrated the team’s assets on both sides of the ball.
“Our defence is super tight, super fast and athletic so they can push the ball up the floor. They are a tough defence to play (against), definitely the toughest I’ve played against, and I play them in practice,” he said.
In goal, Erik Kratz maintained a near-90 per cent save percentage over the three games.
PoCo coach Dan Stroup – who took over the reins just 10 days ago upon the sudden firing of Kelly Scott – anticipates Coquitlam to beat Victoria, and will be a tough opponent for New West in the final. It will pair two of the tougher opponents that Stroup, a Hall of Famer, shared the floor with during a 12-year WLA career, behind their respective benches.
“It’ll be a good series. New West is deep but Coquitlam is quite deep. (New West coach Rich Catton) has a good team and (Coquitlam coach Pat Coyle) has got a good team – I know I’ll be watching to see how it ends.”
Bell, who came over from PoCo in a swap in the off-season, said the momentum from this series can only help in the homestretch.
“The strategy was to get in, get out and not take too many injuries. Make sure we’re getting better every game as we go so we can peak right at Minto time. We’re still building and we’re a pretty young group so it’s good to get the young guys that playoff experience going forward,” he said.
If Coquitlam emerges from the semifinal, and they hold a 2-0 lead entering Saturday’s Game 3, the anticipated final clash will be intense.
“They won the (regular season) series 2-1, but we’re definitely looking to get past them and go for a Minto Cup,” noted the 6-foot-5 forward. “I think we have the guys in the locker room who can do it, we just have to execute do it.”
He concedes that final hurdle won’t be easy, however. The ‘Bellies do have confidence that if they play their game, they can punch a ticket to Calgary for the Aug. 16 to 26 national championships.
“I think either way, whichever team we play we have an absolute chance of winning (the series). That’s our biggest thing, to have the mentality to go in with, that we’re the best team in this country,” said Bell. “We can win a Minto Cup. We have the guys in the room to do it and we just have to go out and do it.”
The BCJALL final will begin next week.
