NEW WESTMINSTER – In a fight filled affair, the Salmonbellies beat up on the Nanaimo Timbermen by a score of 14-8. With the win New West has a record of 9-3-1 and are sitting comfortably in second place in the WLA standings, five points clear of third placed Coquitlam. The Bellies extended their winning streak to five games, and have not lost in close to a month.

Thursday’s contest was the first of a home and home series with the Timbermen. It also marked the much anticipated return of Salmonbellies sniper and 2008 WLA Finals MVP Ilija Gajic. In his first game of the 2009 season since returning from the University of Denver, Gajic was impressive, picking up three points. Perhaps sparked by his return, the Bellies offence came flying out of the gate, scoring four goals in the first six minutes to take the early lead. Leading 6-4 after one, New West yet again had another impressive second period. The Salmonbellies scored three power play goals and also added a shorthanded marker in outscoring the T-men 6-2 in the middle frame. With a 12-6 advantage heading into the third period, it was clear both teams wanted to send a message for Saturday’s game on the island.

It took just three seconds before things turned ugly in the final period. Nanaimo defender John Flatters decided to cheap shot Salmonbellie Bobby Snider off the faceoff. When challenged by enforcer Rory Smith, Flatters didn’t respond with much of an effort, spending the majority of the fight crawling on the floor. Following another faceoff two minutes later, New West displayed their toughness once again, as Ilija Gajic and Kyle Ross rag dolled Nanaimo’s Graham Palmer and Bobby Debrone. After a lengthy delay sorting out penalties, the Bellies were shorthanded for a combined seven straight minutes. At one point, six Salmonbellie players were stuffed inside the penalty box. Credit the New West penalty kill as they only gave up one goal during the seven minute stretch. The Bellies lead the league in penalty kill percentage with an 82.35% kill rate.

Aside from the parade to the penalty box third period, New West walked away with a 14 goal performance, the most the team has scored in one game all season. Offensively Scott Stewart had a breakout game with a seven point night. Both Cliff Smith and Jordan Hall had hat tricks and five point outings each, with three goals and two assists a piece. On the other side of the ball Matt Roik collected his fifth win of the campaign, stopping 29 of 37 shots while improving his record to 5-1-1.

New West will look to make it six straight wins as they close out their regular season series with the Nanaimo Timbermen Saturday night on the island. The Bellies next home game is Thursday July 16th against the first place Victoria Shamrocks. The battle for first place begins at 7:45 from Queens Park Arena.