'Bellies Cut it Close with Thunder

The New Westminster Salmonbellies headed east on highway 1 to take on the Langley Thunder at the Langley Events Centre on Thursday night. The ‘Bellies are currently sitting in 4th place, a position that is not familiar to them, so they would look to make up some ground in the standings. 

Less than 2 minutes into the first period, Carter Dickson opened the scoring for the ‘Bellies, but the lead didn’t last long as Andrew Gresham scored a minute later to even the game at 1. There was a heated exchange after the goal between Wyatt Pinder and Thomas Moffat, who both received roughing minors. 

Jeremy Bosher gave the ‘Bellies a 2-1 lead just over 5 minutes into the period, but even quicker than last time, the Thunder evened the scored 29 seconds later with a goal by Bryce Brochu. 

The ‘Bellies took a 3-2 lead just after the halfway point of the period and kept it that way as they headed into the locker room for the first intermission. 

The second period was a rather busy one for the referees and kept the benches in the penalty box rather warm as both teams decided to retaliate on every call. It started early with a checking from behind by Thunder’s Blaine Boomer 30 seconds in, but it looked like Jordan McKenzie didn’t like it, as 2 minutes later, he received a major for checking from behind and a game misconduct. 

The Thunder surely had to capitalize on the powerplay and they did as Brochu netted his second of the game to make it 3-3. However, the powerplay after did not go as planned, as Mitch MacAulay and Connor Robinson scored shorthanded to make it 5-3 ‘Bellies. 

And now became the busiest time for the referees. At around the 8-minute mark, Cam Campbell of the Thunder wasn’t too happy with ‘Bellies Brandon Clelland who received a boarding call, while Campbell just received roughing minor, which wasn’t all that bad for the Thunder as they would still go on the powerplay, but it was what happened 20 seconds later. Fighting majors and game misconducts were handed out like candy on Halloween. Alex Gibbs and James Rahe for the Thunder both received fighting majors and game misconducts, while DJ Saari of the ‘Bellies also received a fighting major and misconduct, but it was Aaron Madaisky who got the worse of it, received an unsportsmanlike on top of the fighting major and misconduct. 

Roughly a minute later, Nicolas Jackson of the Thunder seemed to keep the checking from behind tradition continue tonight, as he received a double minor and a minute after that, Dickson netted his second of the game to give the ‘Bellies a 3-goal lead. 

The Thunder made it a 2-goal game after a great heads up pass by goaltender Jake Sundar who passed it to Connar Abrams and Abrams did it all, beating ‘Bellies goaltender Tyler Landry. 

The third period saw both teams staying out of the penalty box (except for one) and they simply just played the game. 

The Thunder came out guns blazing early in the third period as Moffat, Gresham and Brochu each scored before the 3-minute mark of the period to give the Thunder their first lead of the night, 7-6. 

Nathan Stewart tied the game up shortly after, but Dylan Lacroix gave the Thunder their lead again 2 minutes later. 

Both teams went back and forth and both goaltenders made the saves they needed to, but with just over 4 minutes remaining, the ‘Bellies turned it up. Alex Bohl evened the game at 8 and before you could blink 3 times, unlikely hero Tyrell Hamer-Jackson scored 6 seconds later and the ‘Bellies fight off the Thunder 9-8. 

Thunder goaltender Jake Sundar made 38 of 47 saves, while ‘Bellies goaltender Tyler Landry made 36 of 44 saves. 

Three Stars of the Game

1. New Westminster - Nathan Stewart – 1 Goal, 2 Assists

2. Langley – Bryce Brochu – 3 Goals, 1 Assist

3. New Westminster – Carter Dickson – 2 Goals, 1 Assist

The Thunder will take on the Burnaby Lakers on Sunday evening at Bill Copeland Arena. The Salmonbellies will take on the Victoria Shamrocks at home at Queens Park Arena on Sunday evening as well, in what will be a very important game for both teams in the standings.