Bellies Win Fourth Straight Game, Beating Coquitlam 6-3

by Kyle Richardson NEW WESTMINSTER – The Salmonbellies extended their winning streak to four games after doubling up the visiting Coquitlam Adanacs 6-3 on Thursday night. With the win New West has a record of 8-3-1 and now sits in second place in the WLA standings trailing only the Victoria Shamrocks by three points. More importantly, the Bellies won the season series over the Adanacs, which could prove to be a deciding factor for home floor advantage in the playoffs. With the possibility of meeting each other in the first round of the post season, it was clear both teams wanted Thursday’s game badly. These two teams have met in the WLA finals the past two years and it’s safe to say there is no love lost between these squads. Coquitlam jumped out to a 2-0 advantage in the first period and took that lead into the intermission. Trailing 3-2 halfway through the second, New West’s league leading penalty kill went to work. Showing signs of great athleticism, they ragged the ball for well over a minute. Having served his penalty, offensive threat Jordan Hall came out of the penalty box and put home his ninth goal of the season to tie the game at three. That goal gave the team life as they controlled momentum for the remainder of the game. Rookie Martin Cummings gave the Bellies a 4-3 lead late in the second period with a great loose ball just outside the Adanac crease. It proved to be the game winner as the New West defence shut down Coquitlam from that goal on. With the Belles in control heading for the third period, Coquitlam forward Tim Campeau decided to add another chapter to the Salmonbellie/Adanac rivalry. As goaltender Ty Richards ran out of his crease to pick up a loose ball, Campeau perhaps in an act of frustration, hit Richards from behind sending the Bellie goalie into the end boards. As expected this created a few fisticuffs with both teams trading blows. Sticks, helmets, and gloves were scattered across the floor in an old fashioned brawl. With only a 2 inch piece of glass separating the two teams, players were reaching across the benches trying to get a piece of each other. Coquitlam tried flexing some muscle, but the Bellies answered the bell and walked away victorious. Once the penalties were sorted out, New West put the game on ice with a Jordan McBride power play goal making it 5-3 after two periods of play. Veteran Pete Morgan added the sixth goal early in the third and Coquitlam had no reply. Ty Richards was excellent in net, despite being roughed up. He made 38 saves on 41 shots and picked up his fourth win of the campaign. Richards now sits in second in the league’s goals against average category with a sparkling 6.99 average. Teammate Matt Roik is third on the list with a respectable 7.74 average. New West will now look to make it five straight wins as they host the Nanaimo Timbermen this Thursday at Queens Park Arena.