Halfway Home: Bellies will Host Adanacs in Pivotal Midseason Clash and Alumni Night Showdown

They say one of the cardinal rules in sports is never to look beyond your next opponent, but today I’m breaking that rule for three good reasons.

First, I have an early deadline. I’m a few hours away from jumping on a plane so I’m tracking the Friday night scores and shining up my crystal ball. Second, next Thursday (June 26) marks a milestone. It's the Salmonbellies’ 9th game - the halfway point of the regular season - and our traditional crosstown foes, the Adanacs, will be in the house. It’s the perfect occasion to host Alumni Night at Queen’s Park Arena. Third, and most important, the Adanacs might just be the sleeper team of the 2025 WLA campaign.

While preseason chatter focused on a two-team race between Victoria and New Westminster, Coquitlam has quietly climbed up the standings. As I write this, they've just lost a low-scoring tilt to the Shamrocks in Victoria (a game they lead for 30 minutes) and they’re now tied with Victoria in second place. Not bad for a team everyone said was still in a rebuilding mode.

Depending on how New West’s matchup in Nanaimo goes Saturday the 21st (a 5 p.m. tilt), the landscape may look different by Friday. But either way, it’s time to take a serious look at Coquitlam.

Scouting the Adanacs

Offensively, the Adanacs are averaging 8.9 goals per game, a bit below the typical mark for elite teams (typically 10.5 to 11). But their +18 goal differential says plenty about how they’re winning. That story begins with six key syllables: Christian Del Bianco.

Del Bianco, who’s listed as playing eight games this season, has posted a stellar 84% save percentage and just 7.38 goals against, leading the Adanacs to four wins, two losses, one tie (and an early season forfeit by Burnaby… but that’s another story). CDB’s backup, Andrew Gallant, was impressive in his lone start, allowing just three goals while posting an eye-popping 91.4% save rate. Everyone has been looking at the Victoria crease with high expectations, but Coquitlam has quietly snuck up on everyone.

Coquitlam’s penalty kill is formidable at 73%, the best in the WLA. Their power play is far less efficient, sitting at a measly 27%. But in a league where goaltending can swing any game, the Adanacs are proving they’re not just contenders; they’re a threat.

It’s an old cliché that some teams score by committee, but in Coquitlam’s case, that’s exactly what’s happening, and it’s working. Three things stand out. First, the ageless James Rahe has returned to the WLA, now wearing purple and gold, and he’s leading the charge with 10 goals and 19 assists, a 3.6 points-per-game average that paces the team. Second, he’s working with a core of well-coached and emerging young talent. Adam Noakes sits just behind Rahe with 3.4 ppg, but he leads the squad with 31 points, while Kean Moonhas 24. Brett McIntyre, a proven threat over the past two seasons, has chipped in 21, and “defender” Jalen Chaster has added 17 points. Rookie David Charney is already contributing with seven goals and six assists. Finally, and perhaps most critically, the Adanacs have benefited from consistent lineup stability. Their core offensive players are showing up game in and game out, building chemistry and helping to explain why Coquitlam is trending into a real contender.

Salmonbellies by the Numbers

But there’s no denying the Bellies are the real deal. They come into this week’s games undefeated at 7-0, leading the league in goals (12.1 per game), and the WLA’s leaders in goals, assists, and points per game all wear a big W on their chests, despite playing at least one game fewer than their league-mates. Their +24 goal differential shows they’ve been both dynamic and disciplined, with a power play converting at 49% (down from a scorching 59%) and a penalty kill at 69%, competitive with Coquitlam’s.

But the roster has seen some “unusual” configurations in recent weeks. When you build a team from NLL players, you know they are going to need some time off in the summer, and that is certainly true in New West this season. Tye Kurtz was a force early on but hasn’t suited up recently. Mitch Jones missed the last outing, and Tyler Pace was away for two. On any given night, it’s tough to predict exactly who will take the floor, but the Bellies keep winning, a testament to their depth and the resurgent play of fan-favourite Logan Schuss.

And while the attention has been on Jones in the first part of 2025, somehow people have forgotten the power of #97. Haiden Dickson is built for summer lacrosse, and he is proving it by leading the league in goals. He has the body of linebacker and the footwork of a ninja, and he’s on pace to earn more than 74 points this season.

The Bellies’ depth is even more evident on defense, which might be among the strongest in WLA history. Zac Masson and Adam Wiedemann have been seamless additions. The Lupul boys have settled in like they’ve never left, because, well, this is home. And Jacob Ruest continues to impress, stepping up on transition and filling in capably on offense when needed. It can be easy to forget that Ben Soenen is a rookie out there, given his physical play, and we should never overlook the incredible depth represented by the veteran names that quietly protect Queen’s Park Arena. Belgrave, Cornwall, Goodwin, Mydske, Salt—that’s a who’s who if there ever was one.

The Alumni Factor

Thursday’s game is more than just a midseason marker. It’s a night where past and present collide, as we welcome Bellies greats back to the stands. It’s a chance for fans to mingle with legends of the past while witnessing the emerging stars of today. And it’s also a game that will have big implications in the standings and for the WLA playoff picture.

Make your plans now. Whether you’re a diehard, a returning alum, or someone who is picking their first-ever game, this one’s for you.

Faceoff is Thursday, 7:30 p.m. at Queen’s Park Arena.

Tickets are here.