POST-GAME REPORT: Late Adanac Goal Hands Salmonbellies First 2025 Loss in 8–7 Heartbreaker

The New Westminster Salmonbellies’ perfect start to the Western Lacrosse Association season came to a dramatic end Thursday night, as the Coquitlam Adanacs scored with just one second remaining to take an 8–7 win. The result pushes Coquitlam temporarily into top spot, though New Westminster holds two games in hand and will get a chance to bounce back immediately on Friday night in Victoria.

This matchup between the WLA’s top two teams was expected to be a tight, physical contest, and it delivered in full. With 98 total shots fired (54 by New Westminster and 44 by Coquitlam) it was a game defined by defensive strategy, goaltending, and timely goals.

The game featured two of the sport’s most accomplished netminders: Frank Scigliano, making his Salmonbellies debut after being acquired earlier this week, and Christian Del Bianco for Coquitlam.

Scigliano, playing in his first action since the National Lacrosse League Championship game, settled in after allowing a goal on the first shot he faced. He finished with 36 saves on 44 shots, showing poise throughout the night.

Del Bianco was strong, turning away 47 of 54 shots to help his team weather a late New West push.

New Westminster started slow, and were held scoreless in the first frame while Coquitlam built an early lead. James Rahe scored, then Remo Schenato added another in the opening seven minutes. Despite a sluggish start, Scigliano and the Salmonbellies defense settled down.  Even with both teams firing 15 shots in the period, the scoreboard barely flickered.  It was Adanacs 2–0 after 20 minutes.

The Adanacs extended the lead to 3–0 at 7:55 on a goal from Matt Delmonico, but Ryan Martel broke through for New Westminster just 30 seconds later off a feed from Mitch Jones. Coquitlam added two more to stretch the lead to 5–1 before a key turning point swung momentum.

Martel drew a five-minute major penalty by taking a high stick to the face late in the frame, and Jones took full advantage. He scored twice on the extended powerplay, assisted each time by Tyler Pace and Haiden Dickson, closing the period with the Bellies down just 5–3.

The Salmonbellies kept rolling in the third. Noah Armitage came flying up the floor and scored just 2:17 in to make it 5–4. Then Tyler Pace erupted, scoring three straight at 3:52, 5:50, and 7:14 for a natural hat trick, giving New Westminster its first lead of the game at 7–5.

The Adanacs responded with goals at 8:32 and 13:56 to tie the game at 7–7. As time wound down and overtime loomed, Coquitlam pulled their goalie for the extra attacker and found a last-second winner. Jalen Chaster scored with one second remaining to hand the Salmonbellies their first loss of the season.

This was a hard-hitting, high-emotion game from start to finish. Adam Noakes was ejected in the third for a five-minute major roughing penalty in the change box, but most of the physical play was clean and it was a relatively penalty-free game, with New West only giving up 3 minors and killing them all.

Despite outshooting Coquitlam 54–44, New Westminster was often kept to the outside by the Adanacs’ defensive strategy, limiting their high-quality chances and forcing them to shoot from distance.

Three Stars

⭐ Christian Del Bianco – 47 saves on 54 shots

⭐⭐ Tyler Pace – 3 goals, 2 assists

⭐⭐⭐ James Rahe – 1 goal, 3 assists

Tyler Pace was also named B & B Contracting Beast of the Game.

Next Up: A Quick Turnaround in Victoria

Now sitting at 8–1, the Salmonbellies have little time to dwell on tonight’s result. They travel to Victoria for a Friday night matchup with a chance to bounce back and reassert their place atop the WLA standings. Both the Rocks and the Bellies have two games in hand over Coquitlam and tomorrow’s winner will be in 1st place when the buzzer sounds.

Mainlanders can catch the game on WLA TV, beginning at 7 PM.

Photos: Bold Photos By Shelly