Consistently Consistent

Submitted by League Reporter, Jen Mutas

It’s a big week for the New Westminster Salmonbellies, continuing their quest to remain the only undefeated team in the BCJALL after winning on Tuesday night versus the only other team who hadn’t lost yet this season, the Coquitlam Adanacs. The ‘Bellies opponent on Friday night also played against the A’s this week; lead by great goaltending and a solid defensive performance, the Saints held Coquitlam to a tie on Wednesday night.

Considering his impressive night versus the A’s just two days prior, it was no surprise to see Carson Michaud in net for the Saints. The first period weighed in New West’s favour as far as possession, chances, and shots were concerned, but Poco got within one goal of the ‘Bellies with two markers late in the period.

In the second the game would open up in favour of the visitors, as four of the seven goals scored were either with the man advantage or playing a man down. With Jarrett Toll stuck in the penalty box for a slashing call, TJ Cowx started the period off right with a short-handed goal, followed shortly by three more for the ‘Bellies before Poco would get back on track with a power play goal from Richard Lachlan. A short-handed marker from Jimmy Delaney and one more with the man advantage from Trevor Evans would be all the Saints could muster for the period, and New West cruised to comfortable 10-5 lead with one period remaining.

Realizing they had their work cut out for them in the final twenty minutes after a lackluster second period, Poco came out hard and with determination in the third, scoring two goals in the first minute before succumbing to more penalty trouble.

Mike Lowe came in to relieve Michaud in net for the Saints with five minutes left in the second and settled in at the right time in the third, making some key stops on the powerful New West power play unit. Playing catch-up proved to be a bit too much for the Saints in the third as the damage sustained in the second put the thought of a close score out of reach. The game would end with a tilt between Poco tough-guy Milan Marcetta and New West’s Robert Danilkiewicz. After a few circles to size each other up they got to it, Marcetta seemed to have the advantage with a quick undercut and a jersey pull; not phased however, Danilkiewicz kept going, landing a few while he was upright and a couple on the way down as he got Marcetta the ground. In the end the ‘Bellies would remain undefeated and the final score from the Poco Rec Center was 12-8.

Coming down to stats, it was a simple case of one team excelling over the other in the right areas.

The ‘Bellies played a more disciplined game than the Saints, with six total penalties called against them, versus twelve for Poco (including two separate game misconducts); and shots at the end of the game favoured New West by twelve. The ‘Bellies may not be first place overall due to the difference of games played resulting in points, but their big names are making it easy for the team to rise the ranks and remain undefeated.

Five players for New West are producing four points a game or more; Jeff Sproule leads the pack with 4.8 points per game, followed by Tyler Digby with 4.5, both Mark Negrin and Brandon Goodwin are putting out 4.3 per game played, and Daniel McQuade rounds it out with 4 even for each game he’s played. The Salmonbellies don’t have time to rest as they take their game on the road Saturday, playing the number one team in the league Victoria- who is riding an impressive 6-0-1 record over their last seven games.