'Bellies Welcome Six Nations with a Home Victory

If you’re wondering what the dim roar over New West was tonight, it was the celebration of a well fought victory. Day two of the Minto Cup in New West saw the host Salmonbellies defeat one of the most feared teams in all Jr. A Lacrosse - the Six Nations Arrows Express, by a score 0f 10 - 7.

Walking into Queens Park was an experience in its own- the crowd was electric with the home crowd cheering on their beloved Salmonbellies, and the ever devoted Six Nations fans decked out in their bright orange gear- most traveling all the way from Ontario.

From the first beat of the drum I knew this was going to be a great match-up. The atmosphere at Queens Park made it feel like a championship game, and only at the Minto Cup can you buy a 50/50 ticket from MLB star Justin Morneau’s dad!

New West has been on a game break for about two weeks, but tonight’s performance showed no signs of doing them any harm. The time off helped some players rest their injuries and get the team focused.

Shawn Evans from Six Nations managed to score first in the game but that would be the only lead the Arrows would see. 

In the first Max Gallant and Curtis Manning both scored twice for the Bellies, and NJCAA Athlete of the Year Cody Jamieson also put in two goals for the Arrows.

In the second frame both teams scored three goals, with only one penalty being called against Salmonbellies Jordan McBride for interference. The period would end 7-6 for the Bellies.

The rest of the night belonged to Alex Turner who started the third with a short handed goal from Kyle Belton. For his next goal he perched right on the crease and made no mistake- top right corner for his fourth of the night. To cap the night off he would throw in another short handed goal into the Arrows open net with 30.2 seconds left; earning him the MVP honours for the Bellies on the night.

Six Nations superstars Shawn Evans and Cody Jamieson showed the BC crowd what Ontario blood can bring to the game. Both have an unbelievable shot, and a mature style of play.

Craig Robertson stopped 51 of the Arrows shots- most of them from Evans and Jamieson, and had a great night between the pipes for New West. Robertson says his practice with the Sr. Bellies in the last couple of weeks has helped a lot. “Beating a team like Six Nations really sets the tone for the tournament. Nobody is going to take us lightly anymore- we may have taken the back door in but we just knocked off Six Nations”

Tomorrow New West will hope for the same result when they face off against provincial rival Burnaby Lakers, who won against the Edmonton Miners on Friday night.