WLA 
HOME OF
NEW WESTMINSTER
SALMONBELLIES SENIOR A LACROSSE
Discipline ~ Family ~ Excellence proudly supported by 
Tale of the Tape: 2025 WLA Finals Adanacs vs Bellies
The 2025 Western Lacrosse Association Finals will see the top two regular season clubs collide, with the first-place Coquitlam Adanacs facing the second-place New Westminster Salmonbellies in what is expected to be a long, hard-fought, and physical series featuring top-notch goaltending and defence. Coquitlam finished the regular season with a league-best record of 15 wins, 2 losses, and 1 tie for 31 points, while New Westminster was close behind at 14 wins and 4 losses for 28 points.
The Adanacs swept the regular-season series between the two, though the gap was far from comfortable. On June 26 at Queen’s Park, they stole an 8–7 win on a last-second buzzer beater. On July 5 at Poirier Arena, they came away with a 12–8 victory against a depleted Bellies’ line-up, and on July 10, again at Poirier, they edged the Salmonbellies 9–8. Across the three games, Coquitlam’s total goal differential was +6.
The playoffs have told a slightly different story for each club. Coquitlam needed 4 games to oust the Maple Ridge Burrards, averaging 10.8 goals per game and finishing with a +8 goal differential. Their power play clicked at 42%, while their penalty kill was successful 59% of the time. Offensively, they have relied on balanced production rather than a single dominant scorer. Kean Moon led the way with 8 goals and 14 assists for 22 points. Rookie David Charney posted 5 goals, 10 assists for 15 points, James Rahe had 7 goals, 7 assists for 14 points, Jalen Chaster matched that point total with 6 goals, 8 assists, and Clark Walter added 5 goals, 7 assists for 12 points. In goal, Christian Del Bianco has been their steady anchor, earning three wins and one loss with an 8.07 goals-against average and an 80.8 save percentage.
New Westminster also advanced in 4 games, dispatching the Victoria Shamrocks with an 11.3 goals-per-game average and a +9 goal differential. Their special teams have been lethal, with a 73% power play efficiency, although their penalty kill has been less reliable at 40%. Tye Kurtz has been a standout, recording 6 goals, 19 assists for 22 points, an average of 6.3 points per game. Mitch Jones is right behind with 11 goals, 13 assists for 24 points, averaging 6 points per game. Haiden Dickson has 8 goals, 9 assists for 17 points, Tyler Pace has 7 goals, 9 assists for 16 points, Will Malcom has 6 goals, 8 assists for 14 points. In net, Frank Scigliano has been excellent, playing all but two minutes of the postseason so far and posting a 9.02 goals-against average with an 82.5 save percentage.
Defensively, the Adanacs may not boast as many high-profile names, but they play a disciplined, system-driven style that funnels opponents into taking angled shots that Christian Del Bianco handles with confidence. Their unit includes NLL players such as Tyson Kirkness, Bobby Kidd III, Remo Schenato, and Jalen Chaster (who contributes at both ends of the floor). The Salmonbellies’ back end is a veteran-heavy, physical group, anchored by captain and defensive player of the year Drew Belgrave, with Reece Callies, Jeff Henrick, Jordan Gilles, Brandon Goodwin, Brett Mydske, Conner Cook, Jeff Cornwall, rookie revelation Ben Soenen, and Zac Masson all contributing to a punishing, high-pressure style. And the addition of Anthony Malcom out the back gate means that the team has an speedy transition weapon.
One of the clear contrasts between the clubs lies in the face-off circle. New Westminster’s Tyrell Hamer-Jackson has been just as steady in the playoffs as he was during the regular season, winning 66.7% of his draws in the Victoria series. Coquitlam spreads the duties among several players, with Eric Turner taking most of the draws in the playoffs. He has just a 28% success rate and is supported by Brian Simmons (23.8%), Tyler Garrison (42.9 %) and Jordan Magnuson (37%).
The atmosphere and playing surfaces of the two buildings could also play a role. Poirier Arena, with its concrete surface and bright lighting, brings a different dimension to loose balls and bounce shots that Coquitlam knows well, though New Westminster’s players are no strangers to it. Queen’s Park Arena offers a very different challenge, with its wood floor, darker floor, and famously loud crowds. The Salmonbellies will look to turn that home-floor advantage into momentum when the series shifts to New Westminster.
With a season series that was closer than the results suggest, two goaltenders at the top of their games, and both teams boasting strong defensive identities, this year’s WLA Finals has all the makings of a drawn-out battle where every loose ball, every face-off, and every possession could make the difference between heading to the Mann Cup or going home empty-handed.
Photos: Paul Horn