NEW WESTMINSTER – For the second straight year, the New Westminster Salmonbellies opened the WLA Finals on a winning note over the Coquitlam Adanacs. Similar to last year’s 10-1 game 1 trouncing, the Bellies took this year’s series opening game by another nine goal margin, winning 14-5 over Coquitlam.

For the first nine minutes of the game, both teams played pretty tight, not wanting to make an early mistake and give the opposition momentum. Ilija Gajic scored the first goal of the game as he continued his strong post season play with his 11th goal of the playoffs. Scott Stewart netted his first of two on the night under a minute later, while Jordan McBride scored on a power play just ninety seconds later to give the Bellies a quick three goal lead. Coquitlam would respond with two goals of their own, before Tyler Crompton closed out the first period with a bounce shot goal, giving New West a 4-2 lead after the first 20 minutes of play.

Both teams traded goals in the second period, as New West would restore their two goal lead twice, at 5-3 and 6-4 thanks to goals from crafty veteran Chris Gill and Jordan Hall. With the game still in reach for the Adanacs heading into the third period, New West’s offence erupted for seven goals in the first 10 minutes of the final frame.

Cliff Smith started the offensive explosion with his first of the night. Bob Snider, who went an unbelievable 20 of 23 in the faceoff circle, controlled the ball to himself following Smith’s goal and scored one of his own, seven seconds later to give New West a quick 8-4 lead in the third period.

Smith and Gajic would each pick up their second goals of the game just twenty seconds apart, while Stewart, Crompton and Gill would also tally their second goals on the night to cap off an impressive seven goal outburst. Coquitlam could only find the net once in the third, as Curtis Ptolemy caught Bellies goalie Tyler Richards out of position, making it 13-5. Kyle Ross closed out the scoring on the night with a breakaway goal making it 14-5 for the home squad, it was his first of the 2009 playoffs.

During the third period onslaught, the Adanacs trade deadline pick up Mike Kilby decided to drop his gloves and square off with the Salmonbellies Rory Smith. As he’s done all season, Smith ended the fight with his opponent on the floor, catching Kilby with several punches before ending the fight with a vicious uppercut sending Kilby to the wooden floor.

It was another impressive all around team performance from the Salmonbellies, as they keep rolling in this year’s playoffs. Goaltender Tyler Richards was again superb in the crease, denying Coquitlam’s shooters 26 times on 31 chances. Richards continues to lead all WLA goalies in this year’s playoffs with a remarkable 5.33 goals against average, along with a perfect 3-0 record.

The offence was yet again spread out, as ten Bellies picked up at least two points in the win. Jamie Floris (3A), Ilija Gajic (2G 1A), Jordan McBride (1G 2A), Chris Gill (2G 2A), Tyler Crompton (2G 1A), Cliff Smith (2G 2A), Bob Snider (1G 1A), Jordan Hall (1G 1A), Scott Stewart (2G 1A) and Kyle Ross (1G 2A).

With the win New West now holds a 1-0 lead in their best of seven WLA Final Series over the Adanacs. Game two of this series goes Tuesday night in Coquitlam at 7:45pm. While the Bellies return home to Queens Park Arena to play game three of this series on Thursday night, game time is also at 7:45pm.

Salmonbellies 2009 Playoff Schedule:

WLA Semi Finals:

Game 1: New West 12 – Langley 5

Game 2: New West 15 – Langley 7

Game 3: New West 14 – Langley 7

Game 4: New West 10 – Langley 4

WLA Finals:

Game 1: New West 14 – Coquitlam 5

Game 2: Tuesday August 18th New West @ Coquitlam 7:45pm Coquitlam Sports Centre

Game 3: Thursday August 20th Coquitlam @ New West 7:45pm QPA

Game 4: Saturday August 22nd New West @ Coquitlam 7:45pm Coquitlam Sports Centre

Game 5: Monday August 24th Coquitlam @ New West 7:45pm QPA * (If Necessary)

Game 6: Wednesday August 26th New West @ Coquitlam 7:45pm * (If Necessary) Coquitlam Sports Centre

Game 7: Friday August 28th Coquitlam @ New West 7:45pm QPA * (If Necessary)