COQUITLAM – The New Westminster Salmonbellies are headed back to the Mann Cup, this time at home on the wooden floor of Queens Park Arena. The Bellies advanced to the national championship following their 12-8 game four win over the Coquitlam Adanacs, to sweep the WLA Final series four games to none. This will mark the first time New West has played in consecutive Mann Cup’s since 1994 and 95.

The Bellies got on the board first, as Scott Stewart scored his first of two on the night just over a minute into the game. After Coquitlam responded with a goal of their own, it was New West’s power play that went to work, scoring three goals on three separate Adanac penalties throughout the first period. Bellies rookie Sean Robinson picked a great time to score his first career WLA playoff goal, as he jumped from behind the Coquitlam crease and neatly tucked home the ball past goaltender Chris Levis, giving New West a two goal advantage. Jordan McBride would later score his second goal of the period as the Bellies led 5-2 after the first 20 minutes.

The second period would prove to be the winning factor for the Fish, as they outscored Coquitlam 6-1. McBride netted two more goals in the first 90 seconds, including another while on the man advantage. Coquitlam’s Gary Bining cut the lead to 7-3, but New West would answer with four more goals before the second frame was over. Incredibly similar to last year’s game four of the WLA finals in Coquitlam, Bellies defender Bubba Westwood, who’s known more for his tenacious defence and willingness to drop his gloves would score the eighth goal for New West. Last year, while trailing 8-7 in the third period, it was Westwood that tied the game at 8, giving the Bellies momentum to eventually knock off Coquitlam by a score of 11-8. This year Westwood did it again, scoring the all important eighth goal. Ilija Gajic would add two of his own followed by McBride’s fifth of the game, as the Bellies held an 11-3 advantage after two periods of play.

Coquitlam would throw everything including the kitchen sink at New West in the third and final period of the series. Trailing by eight, they played the majority of the period with their goalie pulled and six forwards, trying to comeback. The A’s would outscore New West 5-1 in the period, but it wasn’t enough as the Bellies walked away as the 2009 WLA Champions with a 12-8 win. Stewart would score the lone goal in the period for the Bellies; it was his second of the night and 13th of the post season.

Goaltender Matt Roik was busy in net, blocking 37 of 45 shots aimed his way. For the second straight year Roik finishes the WLA playoffs with a perfect 4-0 record. It’s also worth noting, he allowed 25 goals in the four wins to finish with an outstanding 6.25 goals against average, which is the exact same amount of goals against and average as he had in the 2008 WLA playoffs. His teammate Tyler Richards also went a perfect 4-0, with an equally impressive 6.97 goals against average.

Up front, the Bellies were paced by McBride’s five goal effort. Gajic netted two goals and two assists in the contest. Cliff Smith also had four points, on one goal and three assists. Veteran Peter Morgan had another big game with five helpers, while Stewart and Robinson rounded out the offence with three points each.

For the second straight year, Ilija Gajic was named the WLA Playoff MVP. Gajic scored 20 goals and picked up 11 assists for an amazing 31 points in only 8 games.

The Bellies will now have time to rest up before they begin their quest for a 25th Mann Cup Championship. The series is scheduled to begin on Friday September 4th. Their opponent has yet to be decided though, as the Brampton Excelsiors currently lead the Peterborough Lakers 3-1 in their best of seven series. In last year’s Mann Cup, the Bellies were swept in four games by the Excelsiors in Brampton. New West will be looking to return the favour this year, as the Mann Cup comes out west. All games are at 7:45pm at Queens Park Arena.

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: New West 13 – Coquitlam 5

Game 3: New West 16 – Coquitlam 13 (OT)

Game 4: New West 12 – Coquitlam 8

Mann Cup Finals:

Game 1: Friday September 4th Brampton/Peterborough @ New West 7:45pm QPA

Game 2: Saturday September 5th Brampton/Peterborough @ New West 7:45pm QPA

Game 3: Monday September 7th Brampton/Peterborough @ New West 7:45pm QPA

Game 4: Tuesday September 8th Brampton/Peterborough @ New West 7:45pm QPA

Game 5: Wednesday September 9th Brampton/Peterborough @ New West 7:45pm QPA * (If Necessary)

Game 6: Friday September 11th Brampton/Peterborough @ New West 7:45pm QPA * (If Necessary)

Game 7: Saturday September 12th Brampton/Peterborough @ New West 7:45pm QPA * (If Necessary)