A's Defeat 'Bellies in Last Minute

With members of the U-19 Team Canada watching in the stands the Salmonbellies came into Coquitlam's house, in what could be a BCJALL playoff preview. Going into tonight's game the Salmonbellies sat four points back of the league leading Adanacs, and Coquitlam had the extra advantage with a game in hand. 

In what was slated to be an action packed game of New West's defense versus the Adanacs offense, the scoring was surprisingly opened up by Coquitlam d-man Creighton Reid. Team mate Scott Defrancesco followed closely behind with a marker of his own to give the home team a 2-0 advantage.

New West would have a slow start to the game, but towards the end of the first looked a lot more focused. 

Graham Weidenhammer who came to the A's from South Fraser last week, would put in Coquitlam's third goal four minutes into the middle frame; but after that it was a speedy comeback for New West.

'Bellies captain Curtis Manning was the one to finally score 26 minutes into the game, and just a minute apart Alex Turner and Kyle Belton would do the same to even up the score at three a piece.

Coquitlam still had some fight in them as Jarett Davis threw one past Sean Tessarolo for the go ahead, but Turner would answer right back just twenty seconds later for his second of the period.

Just before the third period would start the crowd was treated to the ring of a fire alarm. After a couple of minutes it was shut off and the final frame got underway with a four-four tie.

Kyle Belton's short handed goal two minutes in would give New West their first lead of the game, but Jordan Weir would capitalize on James Poelzers wrap around penalty to tie the game up for the A's. It was a game of tying and going ahead in the last twenty between these two teams, each goal being more intense than the last.

Coquitlam tough guy Matt Beers got called for a cross check halfway through the period and gave the Bellies the perfect opportunity to tie the game at six; and tie they did. Just seven seconds from the call Drew Duncan would throw it past Weber on the power play, which prompted Coquitlam to step it up.

Jarett Davis was the one to do it after the ball hit every post on a previous shot from Shane Anderson. In keeping with the theme New West would again go ahead with Drew Duncan throwing in his second of the evening, and consequently Jordan Weir was left open on the other end of the floor and with a quick pump-fake, got Sean Tessarolo moving for another go ahead goal.

Alex Turner then completed his hat trick to tie the game at eight with just three minutes to go.

The intensity of the game was as bad as the heat in the arena at this point, and with time winding down the hero of the night for Coquitlam was Jarett Davis who scored the ninth and final goal for his team with just nine seconds left on the clock.

Final score from Poirer Arena was 9-8 for the home team in what was a great game to watch from the stands. There was a great feeling to the game from the first whistle, and the action didn't stop until the final buzzer. New Wests defense is a force to reckon with and for the most part tonight was undeniable. The downside to the Salmonbellies play was the inability to capitalize on key power play opportunities, especially in the third period when a lead meant so much. Newly acquired lefty Jason Jones played well at the top of the crease for New West on the PP, but might need a little more time with the team to be more comfortable. 

All in all a great match to watch, and hopefully a preview of things to come in the next month for playoffs!