A's Control Game Three

Submitted by League Reporter, Jen Mutas

After a tight first game in which the Adanacs snuck away with a one goal victory over the 'Bellies, game two was a different beast at Queens Park as New West held control even with a late push from the A's to even up the BCJALL finals at one game a piece. For game three both teams would have to iron out some kinks and try to overpower the other, no easy task at this stage of the season.

As has been the case with each game so far, the home team would score first when Travis Cornwall did a great job down low to beat his defenders and spring up to unload his shot over top of them and past starting goalie Neil Tyacke. Following the opening goal was a couple of mutual penalties resulting in a three-on-three situation in which Brandon Goodwin capitalized to tie the game at one. Ben McIntosh would show great patience driving the net and pump-faking Tyacke until he bit, as well as scoring with just a minute left in the period to send the A's to the break up by one goal on the 'Bellies. It was a standard issue first period between these two teams, and if the first two games were any indication, the final forty minutes would be the money maker.

Kevin Crowley would take advantage his six foot three frame as well as a high sticking penalty against Corbyn Tao to tie it up again in the second, as the A's started the period with post trouble, ringing two huge ones off the iron in the first five minutes. Jordan Weir would throw in a power play goal, followed by even strength goals from Robert Church and Trevor Moore. Following more penalties to both teams Matt MacGrotty would score the only other goal for New West in the second. In both previous games Coquitlam had a bad habit of going through a scoring drought between the second and third periods, but tonight's performance proved they had learned from their mistakes and for the first time in the series had the lead heading into the final period.

With a team like the A's who are even more powerful with the man advantage, disciplined play would be a key factor for the 'Bellies for the final twenty minutes. A leftover bench minor penalty from the second period would result in another goal from McIntosh to complete his hat trick, and a high sticking penalty just five minutes in would set up Church for another as well.

Tor Reinholdt swiped the ball off the faceoff following Church's goal and went straight up the middle to score just six seconds later and really change the feel of the game. After that it was time for some rough stuff as Robert Danikiewicz challenged Corbyn Tao who didn't look that interested in a fight but Danikiewicz gave him no choice. After ripping off Tao's lid and exchanging a few punches, a jersey pull would force Tao to the ground and on his way up the whole arena got a look at his damage.

His jersey was white no more as both the front and back were stained with the blood coming from his split eye. He was taken to the dressing room for attention and Danikiewicz was given seventeen minutes in PIM's just on that call, including a game misconduct. Following up that fight was another scrap just half a minute later between Scott Rouse and Kevin Crowley who mutually decided to drop the gloves. Rouse would get the extra four minutes for a check from behind which gave the 'Bellies a late opportunity to try and catch up with the A's on goals. After some impressive work killing three of the four minutes of the power play New West finally got some time in the A's end, and on their first drive of the PP Daniel McQuade would add a goal to his three assists on the night to try and give the 'Bellies a boost. Justin Salt scored late in the period which also got Crowley back on the floor after his fighting penalty, but was shortly followed by another A's goal, this time from Garrett McIntosh as he caught Tyacke out of his net.

New West would score an impressive final power play goal as McQuade drove the net up the middle, tossed the ball to TJ Cow who was stationed directly behind the A's net, who then quick-sticked it back to McQuade as he was in a prime spot in front to score.

Time was running out for New West to make a comeback and it was the Adanacs who pulled out all the stops to get the 11-7 win and go ahead by one game in the series.

Games one and two had quite a lot of common factors even though there were two different outcomes; both games saw each team work their two goalies, but tonight both Tyacke and Chris Seidel were in for the full sixty minutes for their team, and each showed more concentration and ability to rebound faster. The first two games saw Coquitlam dominate the opening period, only to have a goal slump in the final two periods. Tonight the Adanacs played at a consistent level for three periods, and with the help of Seidel between the pipes making thirty two saves, it pretty much took the wind out of the 'Bellies sails. The Adanacs looked like their old selves on the defensive end of things tonight; most impressively killing three of the four minutes in the Rouse double minor in the third period, which could have easily swayed in New West's favor had the 'Bellies been able to gain the zone. No doubt the absence of Curtis Dickson from the lineup had a factor in their performance, but with players like McQuade really stepping up their caliber (15pts in 3 games) in their place, it's easy to see how the 'Bellies made it to the final.

Game four should be equally as exciting as the opening three, as the series shifts back to Queens Park on Tuesday night. Approaching the midway point of the finals, it's quite apparent of the importance of playing at home. If both teams continue playing like they are, this series will be stretched to the maximum and be very difficult on spectators nerves- for both sides!