Coquitlam Steals Win at 'Bellies Home Opener

By Jen Mutas

Spring was definitely in the air outside the Queen's Arena in New Westminster. Driving up I had to double check the location; all I could hear was the ting of a baseball bat, and the Canucks game blaring from a jimmy in the parking lot.

But I came to watch some lacrosse. Minto Cup hosts New West were looking to make the home crowd proud against the Adanacs- who just took their first game of the season against the Timbermen 14-3 on the Island.

The crowd was into it, and the updates on the hockey game from GM Place were great… until the third period.

Jordan Weir from Coquitlam started his team off, scoring at 9:14 in the first. The Salmonbellies answered back a minute later with Alex Turner standing right outside the crease on the goal line and sneaking one in.

Joe Burges had a great night putting in the next goal for the Adanacs. He looked smart, playing good defense as well as contributing to the score sheet.

'Bellies #11 Jordan McBride tied the game up shorthanded but after, New West got into penalty trouble for picking fights.

Calvin Craig and Burges both scored twice to end the period at 6-3. Max Gallant put the third in for New West.

Adanacs Sean Robinson lit it up in the second putting two up for the visitors. Matt Beers drew a great penalty on the way to the net to make way for one of Robinson’s goals. 

Salmonbellies Jordan McBride should play for the Canucks, scoring twice on the power play in the second frame.

The Adanacs Matt Beers, and NW runner Trevor Gains made my night 6 minutes into the third. It was a battle of the #5’s. They flipped off the gloves, dropped both their helmets and had a great bare fisted fight; a delight to watch!

Other than the fight, the third period was pretty quiet. Eric Lewthwaite scored New West’s sixth and final goal at 7:18, and Coquitlam was held scoreless in the third.

Ray Hodgkinson was pulled from the Salmonbellies net early on. Sean Tessarolo did a good job to fill in, but it wasn’t enough.

Coquitlam goalie Tyler Richards had a fantastic night between the irons stopping 34 shots and putting up two assists.

Final from Queen's Park in New West was 10-6 in favour of Coquitlam.