NEW WESTMINSTER – The Salmonbellies built up a five goal, first period lead and never looked back on Sunday night. As New West walked away with another convincing win doubling up the Langley Thunder by a score of 14-7. The Bellies now hold a comfortable 3-0 lead in their best of seven WLA Semi-Final series.

With the game tied at one just over five minutes into the first frame, New West’s offence once again exploded for consecutive goals. The Salmonbellies scoring seems to be coming in bunches in this series, as in game one they scored eight straight goals, while in game two they had a stretch of five straight. Sunday night was no different as once again the Bellies put home five straight markers and closed out the first period with a 7-2 lead. Jamie Floris, Curtis Manning, Scott Stewart, Jordan Hall, and Tyler Crompton each scored once while Ilija Gajic added a pair in the first period offensive clinic.

The Bellies first period lead certainly seemed to knock the wind out of Langley’s shallow lungs, as the series continues to be fairly one sided. The second frame was no different, as New West put home five more goals while Langley only replied with one. Floris, Stewart and Crompton all picked up their second goals on the night, while Peter McFetridge and Jordan McBride added the others.

With a 12-3 lead heading into the third period, the home team took their foot off the gas and Langley showed signs of life. For only the second time in this series the Thunder outscored New West in a single period. Despite the poor showing in the final frame, New West came out on top with a 14-7 win and a 3-0 lead in the series. McFetridge scored twice in the third to pick up his first career playoff hat trick and finish the night with four points, along with Floris, Gajic and Stewart, who each had two goals and two assists.

On the defensive side of the ball, veterans Dave Morgan, Ian Hawksbee and Chris Seller were excellent yet again, holding Langley’s offence to outside shots for the majority of the game. Although he only faced 32 shots, goaltender Matt Roik played big, stopping 25 of them while collecting his second win of the playoffs.

The Salmonbellies now hold a commanding lead in this series, and will look to complete the sweep on Tuesday night in Langley for game four of this best of seven series. If New West advances, they will play in their fourth straight WLA Final series.

In other Semi-Final action, the top seeded Victoria Shamrocks trail the surprising Coquitlam Adanacs, two games to one. The Adanacs took games one and two, with Victoria winning game three. Game four of that series goes Monday night in Coquitlam.

Salmonbellies 2009 Playoff Schedule:

Game 1: New West 12 – Langley 5

Game 2: New West 15 – Langley 7

Game 3: New West 14 – Langley 7

Game 4: Tuesday August 11th New West @ Langley 7:45pm Langley Events Centre

Game 5: Thursday August 13th Langley @ New West 7:45pm QPA * (If Necessary)

Game 6: Saturday August 15th New West @ Langley 7:45pm Langley Events Centre * (If Necessary)

Game 7: Monday August 17th Langley @ New West 7:45pm QPA * (If Necessary)