Bellies' Take Game 1

The 2014 playoffs started this evening when the Delta Islanders visited Queens Park to take on the New Westminster Salmonbellies in game 1 of their semifinals matchup.

The first period saw a lot of energy from both teams. Salmonbellies' Brett Dobray hit the post at 1:17, but finished off a great passing play 11 seconds later to give the 'Bellies a 1-0 lead. However, the lead quickly disappeared when John Phillips scored at 2:39.

The 'Bellies went on a bit of a run a few minutes later when Luke Gillespie, Anthony Malcolm, Josh Byrne and Johnny Pearson each scored before the seven minute mark to make it 5-1. Josh Byrne was slow to get up after he got checked from behind after Pearson's goal, but he stayed in the game. Malcolm netted his second of the game at 7:09 to make it 6-1 and then the Islanders went on a run of their own.

Phillips scored his second of the game when his shot missed the net, but the rebound off the boards hit 'Bellies goaltender Ross Bowman and rolled into the net to make it 6-2. At 11:19, The Islanders continued to keep the pressure on as Chase Fraser scored, which was then followed by a post and then a Sam Klingsporn goal at 14:35 to make it 6-4. Ross Bowman thought it was time for a water break not only to hydrate himself, but hopefully to throw off the Islanders momentum and it seemed to have work.

The first penalty of the period came at 16:43 with Mike Henry sitting in the box for interference, but the 'Bellies couldn't capitalize on the powerplay.

Salmonbellies' Adam Dickson scored with 38 seconds left in the period, which was definitely a small blow to the Islanders as they were hoping to head to the locker room only down by 2. The 'Bellies took a timeout with less than 20 seconds remaining, but nothing came out of it, which was certainly good news for the Islanders.

With the teams coming out at the second period, Salmonbellies' Tyrell Hammer-Jackson had some fancy footwork to get in the zone as T.I.'s "Bring 'em out" played through the speakers, but you could say it was the Islanders who had the fancy footwork in the second period.

The 'Bellies did open up the scoring in the second period as Jeremy Bosher scored 22 seconds in and then Pearson scored at 2:40 to give the 'Bellies a 9-4 lead.

The Islanders came back with two of their own when Sam Klingsporn scored at 4:12 and then 21 seconds later, Evan Messenger scored to make it 9-6. Goaltender Bowman got pulled for Eric Penney, but it only lasted a few minutes as it seems it was just a little breather for Bowman. With Bowman catching his breath in goal, Malcolm gave the 'Bellies some breathing room when he scored at 7:03 to make it 10-6.

There was no giving up in the Islanders, though. Wade Galbraith scored at 10:14, followed by Phillips' third of the game at 12:52 and then Tyler Nett at 14:24 to make it a 10-9 game. Goaltender Bowman got pulled again and this time, it might be for a bit longer than before. Penny made a big save just minutes into his game, which allowed Alex Bohl to break in on a bad line change by the Islanders as he put it past goaltender Ryland Hood at 16:02 to make it 11-9.

The game started to get heated and the referees were letting both teams play until Salmonbellies' Jesse Gillespie got his stick a little too high on an Islander as he had to take a seat in the box for two minutes.

The Islanders had a few chances to cut the 'Bellies lead to 1, but Penney made the saves when he needed to. With time winding down and the penalty expiring, the 'Bellies tried for one more push, but as Byrne waited to receive a pass, it seemed as if he rolled his ankle. As the horn went, Byrne limped off and looked in some discomfort, but he was back on the bench at the start of the third period.

The third period saw a lot of back and forth action, but it was a little quiet on the goal-scoring front. The 'Bellies opened up scoring rather early again when Quinn Mackay scored ten seconds in. Immediately, after the goal, the Islanders coaching staff asked the referee to see if goaltender Penney had illegal equipment on. After a few minutes in the locker room, Penny came back ready to go with no issues. The Islanders received a delay of game penalty, which then Pearson made them pay at 1:08.

Islanders' Cory Takahara scored under a minute later to make it 13-10. Goaltender Hood made some big saves to keep the Islanders in the game and with all the back and forth action, there was no goal scored until 12:47 when Byrne scored on the power play. The power play came from a two-minute penalty by Fraser for slashing who also got a game misconduct for slashing a New Westminster player in the change box. Ultimately, digging the hole a little deeper for the Islanders.

With under three minutes remaining, there was a stoppage in play to sing happy birthday to Shaggy, who is a part of the New Westminster Salmonbellies maintenance crew. Unfortunately, it wasn't all happy thoughts as there was some pushing and shoving between the two teams while the crowd was singing.

At 17:55, Salmonbellies' Luke Gillespie scored and then Messenger scored for the Islanders 20 seconds later, but that wrapped game 1 as the Salmonbellies defeated the Islanders 15-11.

Three stars of the game
1. New Westminster - Anthony Malcolm - 3 goals, 2 assists
2. New Westminster - Johnny Pearson, 3 goals, 1 assist
3. Delta - John Phillips - 3 goals, 3 assists

The Delta Islanders will look to even the series when they host game 2 at Sungod Arena on Saturday, July 12 at 7:30PM.