Bellies Start Season 2-0

It hasn’t been pretty. It hasn’t been perfect. But we’re 2-for-2, and that’s all that matters. The New Westminster Salmonbellies are off and running in the 2025 WLA season, bagging wins against the Nanaimo Timbermen and Maple Ridge Burrards in back-to-back gritty tilts that featured comeback guts, transition hustle, and a whole lotta Tyler Pace.

Game One: Battered, not broken

Against Nanaimo on opening night, the Bellies found themselves playing from behind for most of the game. The Timbermen pushed our boys through two periods, leading 7–4 late in the second. But New West wasn’t in the mood for opening-night heartbreak. Powered by a late surge and absolute wizardry from Tyler Pace (1G, 8A) and Mitch Jones (3G, 5A), the ’Bellies dropped six goals in the third to steal a 12–9 win. Haiden Dickson (3G, 1A) added a hatty of his own, and Logan Schuss chipped in two clutch third-period markers to seal it.

Game Two: Defenders on the loose

Three nights later in Maple Ridge, the Bellies looked a bit more composed—and a lot more dangerous in transition. While the Burrards’ Marcus Klarich did his best one-man-army impression (5G, 1A), New West turned defense into offense in a flash. Jeff Cornwall and rookie Ben Soenen both found the net, and Brandon Goodwin lit it up with 2G, 2A from the back end. Haiden Dickson stayed hot with another hat trick, and Jones and Pace continued their co-op campaign for “Best Duo in Lacrosse,” adding 2G and 5A between them.

Early Trends: A Blazing Pace

Two games in, and Tyler Pace is already looking like a man possessed. He leads the team with a whopping 13 assists and 14 points—tied in goals with Mitch Jones (5G each). Haiden Dickson’s back-to-back hat tricks (6G, 2A) suggest he’s found a scoring rhythm early, and Goodwin’s 4-point night from the back end in Game Two is a sign that the Bellies are ready to use their D-crew to add consistently to the scoresheet.

Special Teams & Grit

New West is flexing their special teams muscle. They scored four power play goals in the opener, including two in the dying minutes to pull away, and added another pair on the man-advantage in Game Two. They’ve also been tough when it counts, weathering shorthanded goals and physical play while keeping their heads and clawing back when needed.

What’s Next?

The Bellies are back in action this Thursday night at Queen’s Park Arena as they host the Langley Thunder at 7:30 PM. It’s Labour Night on our calendar, so members of labour unions get discounted tickets.if your Union hasn’t shared the code, email us and we’ll give it to you.

We’ve got a 2–0 team, a red-hot lineup, and home-floor swagger. You don’t want to miss this.

Bellies fans, it’s early—but it’s already fun.