Climbing the Ranks

It’s full steam ahead for the New Westminster Salmonbellies. After waiting for up to nine starters, nine games into the season and the team is finally at full force which is resulting in wins. Delta came into Tuesday’s game losing four in a row by pretty substantial scores, and were looking for a way to grab some much needed points.

A bit of a slow start to the game with the first goal not being registered until seven minutes in when Adam Foss finally cracked Steve Bourget to give the ‘Bellies a lead. Kevin Crowley would put in a power play goal with just a minute left to end the first with a 2-0 New West lead. In the first, possession was most certainly in the Salmonbellies favour. Delta was having trouble advancing the ball into the offensive end, and most all of the loose balls were quickly picked up by New West. The two-nothing lead heading into the second could have been a lot worse.

The middle frame would prove to be more of a handful for the visiting Islanders. Dane Stevens would finally beat Sean Tessarolo five minutes into the second picking up the rebound after Jason Jones hit the post. Kyle McCartney would also score for Delta but seven goals from New West would bury any hopes of the Islanders coming close. Of those ‘Bellies goals newly returned captain Curtis Manning would score his first of the season and Foss would add his second goal of the night.

With a seven goal cushion to head into the third New West looked confident and Delta was frustrated. Newly signed Delta goaltender Scott Lowe came in for the last ten minutes of the second, but Bourget would be in for the third. Tanner Lemire would score the lone goal for Delta, and again New West would counter with seven more goals. Jarrett Toll would get his second of the night, Alex Tuura would rifle in an unbelievable short handed goal, and Foss and Crowley would make complete their hat tricks.

Final score was 16-3 for the ‘Bellies and that score now stands as the highest win margin so far this season in the BCJALL.

Game Notes:
Shots on goal. I hate to seem like I’m picking on Delta but five shots in the first, ten in the second, and fourteen in the third, can not get you even close to a win especially against a trigger happy team like New West. Bourget was doing a good job for the most part to stop New West when they would set up on the power play but at even strength was having troubles. At the other end of the arena it was the first game I had seen Sean Tessarolo play in this season and this kid looks great. He was confident, coming out of his net often to play the ball and he was smart about rebounds and passing. He didn’t let a goal in until five minutes into the second, but with Deltas shots on goal it’s hardly something he can be really proud of.

The outcome of the game was fairly expected, but always room for improvement from both squads.