Adanacs Stifle Salmonbellies in Game 1 of WLA Finals, Take 6-3 Win

by Paul Horn

You’re not going to win many lacrosse games with just three goals. The New Westminster Salmonbellies learned that lesson in the opening game of the Western Lacrosse Association Finals, falling 6-3 to the Coquitlam Adanacs at Poirier Arena on Tuesday night.

It was a defensive battle from the opening faceoff, with both teams limiting quality chances in the first period. The Adanacs struck first — but only after 11:22 had passed — when Jalen Chaster scored on a power play just six seconds into the man advantage. Will Malcom answered for New Westminster at 14:27, and that was all the scoring in the opening 20 minutes. The shot count was tight — 15-14 for the A’s — and so was everything else. Physical play and late penalties showed that finding open floor space was going to be as hard as finding an affordable Vancouver condo.

The Salmonbellies opened the second period with a brief power play but failed to convert, a sign of things to come for their special teams; the man advantage went goalless on the evening. Coquitlam then seized control with three straight goals: Brett McIntyre at 5:20, James Rahe on the power play at 6:21, and Riley Isaacs at 11:17. Tye Kurtz finally broke through for New Westminster just 38 seconds later, but Adam Noakes restored the three-goal cushion at 15:42. Kurtz scored his second of the night at 18:05 in spectacular fashion, leaping through the air to make it 5-3 heading into the final frame.

The third period saw New West outshoot Coquitlam 19-9, but Del Bianco was locked in and didn’t allow a goal. Scigliano was also sharp, but late in the game, with the goalie pulled, Coquitlam’s Kean Moon hit the empty net at 18:51 for the only goal of the period, sealing the 6-3 win.

Despite the loss, the Salmonbellies outshot the Adanacs 49-45, but both defenses played such a tight, physical game it felt like the rink had been cut in half.

Game Stars:

  1. Christian Del Bianco (Coquitlam) — 46 saves on 49 shots.

  2. Frank Scigliano (New Westminster) — 39 saves on 45 shots.

  3. Jalen Chaster (Coquitlam) — 1 goal, 1 assist.

Notables:

  • Faceoff ace Tyrell Hamer-Jackson went 10-2 at the dot.

  • Shot leaders: Kurtz (9), Pace (9), Dickson (9), Malcom (8), Jones (8) for New Westminster; Rahe (9), Walter (10), Moon (8), Noakes (7) for Coquitlam.

  • Only three penalties were called in total in the second and third periods, as both teams settled into physical but clean play, and the referees let them get into playoff-style lacrosse.

The series now shifts to Queen’s Park Arena on Thursday night at 7:30 p.m., where the Salmonbellies will try to even the series. Tickets are available online here.

Photo: Bold Photos By Shelly