Game 2 Report: Bellies Answer to Even Finals Series

It was just a matter of time before the dam broke.

If the first game of the Western Lacrosse Association Finals was all about goaltending and defense, Game 2 was about the Salmonbellies’ offense finding their rhythm.

The return of two respected veterans to the left side — Ryan Martel and Logan Schuss — gave New Westminster a noticeable spark. No. 91 Justin Salt also slid back into his defensive role for the first time in a while, adding poise and physicality.

The Bellies hammered away on defense, creating multiple transition opportunities before finally breaking through at 8:14 when Drew Belgrave went coast-to-coast to beat Christian Del Bianco. Less than two minutes later, Mitch Jones buried the first of his eventual hat trick.

New Westminster was just getting started. Schuss struck at 13:05, followed by a goal off of a faceoff from Jordan Gilles, and Ryan Martel scored just seconds later off another draw at 13:21. Queen’s Park was rocking — three goals in just 16 seconds, with two coming directly off faceoff wins! Jones added his second at 17:56 to close out a dominant opening period up 6–1.

In the second, Haiden Dickson freight-trained straight through the middle and ripped one home at 2:21. Less than a minute later, Will Malcom scooped a rebound off Del Bianco and somehow had the time to make a fake and score while falling to earn the 8–1 lead. Coquitlam’s Brian Gillis made it 8–2 during a delayed penalty at 7:48, but Martel answered at 9:21. James Rahe got one back at 18:11, sending the game into the second intermission at 9–3.

The scoring in the third period slowed, but not before Mitch Jones completed his hat trick at 8:28. The Adanacs responded through Brett McIntyre at 9:42 and then got a strange one on the power play from Kean Moon — a harmless-looking shot off the back boards rebounded off Frank Scigliano’s back and in. It was an unfortunate glitch in what had otherwise been a near-perfect game by Scigliano.

Special Teams: Only one power-play goal was scored officially on the night, but Coquitlam also scored once with an extra attacker on a delayed penalty. The Adanacs served 10 minutes in minors while the Salmonbellies served 12. A late dust-up between James Rahe and Jeff Henrick, which saw Henrick give up about a foot in height but somehow manage the upper hand, led to offsetting majors and game misconducts for both players.

With the series now tied 1–1, the age-old rivalry between these two teams seems to be heating up — and the intensity is only likely to grow as the finals continue.

Three Stars:

1. Frank Scigliano (NW) – 5 GA on 49 shots
2. Mitch Jones (NW) – 3G, 1A
3. Kean Moon (Coq) – 1G, 2A

Other Salmonbellies standouts: Ryan Martel (2G, 1A, 9-for-9 faceoffs) earned B & B Contracting Beast of the Game honours; Will Malcom (1G, 2A), Haiden Dickson (1G, 1A), Drew Belgrave (1G, 1A), Logan Schuss (1G, 1A)

Adanacs scoring: Moon, McIntyre, Rahe, Isaacs, B. Gillis each had one goal

Game 3 will be played Saturday, August 16 at the Coquitlam Poirier Leisure Complex. Tickets available at the door and via the Coquitlam Adanacs website here. Please note the early game time: 7:00 p.m.

Photos: Bold Photos By Shelly