GAME REPORT: Bellies Lose to Shamrocks at Home

By Blake Milton & Paul Horn

For the third time in three homes games, a valiant effort by the New Westminster Salmonbellies came up short. Despite a strong start that included Haiden Dickson scoring two in the first 90 seconds, it was the visiting Victoria Shamrocks who walked away with a 12-10 victory.  

The theme of the night was comeback scoring, with the teams managing to equalize the scoring on six occasions.  The lead changed four times over the course of the evening and the third period included a nearly ten minute period without scoring, but an unusual goal, shot through a crowd from outside, ended up being the difference maker.  

Mitch Jones led the offence with 4 goals and 5 assists while Haiden Dickson (2 goals 3 assists) earned the Stonehaus Realty Player of the Game. Jordan McBride (1 g, 4 a), Jason Jones (1 g, 1a) and Colton Clark (2 g, 1 a) added to the scoring, and all of them had one thing in common; the Bellies two-man game was a force and allowed our office to get behind Victoria’s defence.

Special teams were also notable. The Salmonbellies powerplay went 3 for 3 on the night while the penalty kill was 1 for 2.

Zach Higgins was the team’s starter again. He made 42 saves on 54 shots, including a number of highlight reel saves that kept the Bellies in the game throughout the night.

The game’s three stars were Marshal King (4 g, 2a), Mitch Jones (4 g, 5 a), and Jesse King (2 g, 5a).

The Bellies now have three straight road games, beginning this Sunday, June 19th in Nanaimo. They then travel on June 22nd to Langley and June 28 to Coquitlam before returning home to Queens Park Arena on Thursday June 30th when the Maple Ridge Burrards make their first visit.  

Game time will be 730 and, as always, tickets are available here.

Please note: There is no game next week at Queens Park.

Photos by Paul Evans.