Expect the unexpected in the Western Lacrosse Association playoffs.
The New Westminster Salmonbellies punctuated that theme, taking Game 1 of their best-of-seven semifinal series against the Langley Thunder 15-12 at Queen’s Park Arena on Tuesday.
In a series that most lacrosse followers believed would be close and low scoring, the very opposite transpired in the opening matchup.
After a 4-4 first period that was conducted at an almost furious pace by both clubs, New West pulled away from the visiting Thunder, outscoring Langley 8-1 in a runaway middle period.
First star Logan Schuss was the main driver in the early going, scoring his fifth of a game-high six goals midway through the contest to give New West its biggest lead of the night at 12-8.
Schuss, who registered an eight-point night, tallied a first-period hat trick with the team’s playing three-on-three lacrosse.
Second star Keegan Bal also had a monster game, recording a seven-point effort, including five goals – three of them coming in the second period.
Bal chased Langley starter Brody MacDonald from the goal with his fourth of the game on a diving shot from the right crease.
But former junior Salmonbellie Rocky Bowman had no better luck, giving up the second of two unassisted transition goals from sophomore defender Brendan Ranford.
“That’s what we’ve tried to do all year,” said Ranford, who chipped in with four points for the ’Bellies. “We have to play a complete game to win in the WLA, for sure.
That complete game, included an aggressive forecheck that proved very effective limiting Langley’s dominance on loose balls and in the faceoff circle.
“It’s about wearing teams out. We want to pressure on them, – playing this game, things like that will go a long way in a long series.”
Solid goaltending is also a must and New Westminster got just that for much of the 60 minutes from rookie netminder Eric Penney, who allowed just five goals on 35 shots on goal through the first 40 minutes. Penney finished the game with 41 stops.
Good news for New West fans was the sight of Alexis Buque backing up Penney for the first time since suffering a lower-body injury earlier in the season.
But, what many thought might be a seven-game series going into the playoffs is now fuel for argument following Tuesday’s outcome.
Langley came back in the final period, outscoring New West 7-3, but the final outcome flattered the Thunder.
Former New West junior Alex Turner led Langley with two goals in a five-point night, while Patrick Saunders had four counters for the visitors.
In reality, New West led by seven goals with eight minutes to go, and only a four-goal scoring spree in a four-minute span gave any reason for concern.
Ranford admitted the ’Bellies suffered the letdown in the latter half of the period, but added the team’s commitment to push the pace of the game is absolute.
“It’s our biggest thing –to be able to run teams into the floor,” added Ranford. “Running and getting up the floor that is going to win us games and we have to keep doing it.”
New Westminster was at the Langley Events Centre on Thursday for Game 2.
Game 3 is back at Queen’s Park Arena on Saturday at 7:45 p.m.
The fourth game in the series is in Langley on Monday, also at 7:45 p.m.
