Bellies Lose in Vic, But Win in Nanaimo; End Road Trip with 2 Points.

When your lineup includes 12 call-ups and first year players, you know you're going to be in tough against a line-up like the Shamrocks, but the Bellies held in tight for the first part of their season opener against Victoria.  They were all square halfway through the first period, thanks to  goals from Colton Clark, Haiden Dickson and a healthy Mitch Jones.  Unfortunately, this new roster hadn't found its rhythm by the time Victoria started rolling. We finished the first down by three, and gave up three unanswered goals in the second. In the final frame, we started to perform, led by some incredible saves from new goaltender Zach Higgins.  Sadly, it was too little too late, but there were bright spots. Colton Clark finished the night with two, and brand new Bellie Haiden Dickson had a hat trick in his very first game. Junior call-up Marcus Klarich got his first goal in a Senior A uniform. Jason Jones, Justin Salt and Jordan McBride (on a spectacular penalty shot) all broke the ice for their seasons, but we still lost 14-10.  

24 hours and 111 kilometres later, the Bellies turned things around.  Taking on the T-Men in their season opener, the Bellies (who still had a LOT of new blood on their roster) came out strong.  The Bellies scored two early on - from Mitch Jones and Jordan McBride - and the tone was set. Even though Nanaimo got five by the end of the frame, it was clear that our veterans were tuned in.  Before the period was even done, Mitch Jones had scored four (and he’d earn a fifth before the second had ended) while Haiden Dickson added his name to the 1st period scoring to make it 6 for the Fish.  In the second, both McBride and Dickson completed their hat tricks, while Junior A call-up Thomas Vela earned his first senior circuit marker.  The Timbermen mustered two, so the score was 12-7 for New West after 40.

The shot totals were favouring Nanaimo, but Zach Higgins was up to the task, turning away almost everything that came his way, with 19 of 21 shots saved in the second period.  Meanwhile New West scored six on 10 shots, leading to a T-Men goalie change.

Scoring was quieter in the third period, with Nanaimo earning two and New West getting just one, but that was enough.  The final was 13-9 for New Westminster, meaning that we're coming home from our Island road trip with two points out of a possible four.  The Bellies ran the table when it came to the three stars, with M. Jones (5-3-8) taking first, McBride taking second (3-2-5), and goaltender Higgins taking third.  

The Salmonbellies take on the Burnaby Lakers on Thursday night, June 2, in their home opener at Queens Park.  Game time is 7:30 and tickets are available here.  

It’s Minor Night, so wear kids wearing their minor lacrosse jersey get in free! Let’s fill Queen’s Park Arena!

The Lakers lost a tough one on Saturday night against the Adanacs in their season opener, so they will be hungry for a win.  

Don't miss it!