Coquitlam Won't Quit

Submitted by League Reporter, Jen Mutas

About twenty two hours before Wednesday night's game in Coquitlam the Salmonbellies were riding high off a staggering 23-7 home win over the Delta Islanders, knowing their competition for the next game would be no walk in the park. With the highest scoring team in the league taking on the undefeated Adanacs, everyone involved knew the result would be of significant importance.

A quick offensive start would be vital to whoever could pull it off, and rising to the occasion was Coquitlam. Two quick goals from Matthew Dinsdale along with singles from Corbyn Tao, Travis Cornwall, and Kevin Neufeld, would slowly but surely stymie the 'Bellies who couldn't jump start their game. Curtis Dickson and Eric Lewthwaite managed to crack A's goalie Dan Lewis, but New West would go into the first break down by four goals.

With almost even power play and short handed goal totals for the season, both teams played a more discipline style in the second after receiving five calls a piece in the first; again it was Dinsdale leading by example with a great goal for the A’s to answer Jordan Catton's opening goal for the 'Bellies. Jim Clifford would have two lead-pass goals in the second (one short handed) showing the great stick strength from A's goalie Dan Lewis. After one of the New West assistant coaches got ejected, resulting in a game misconduct for the bench, the 'Bellies just couldn’t seem to get a flow going to their game and the possession calls were piling up against them. Both teams would double their score in the second, with the A’s looking comfortable in their 12-4 lead after forty minutes.

The tension between the players all night was worse than prom night but even with the fans calling for fights, the players didn’t want to leave the floor and miss an offensive chance, let alone leave their team in a vulnerable situation. With Neil Tyacke taking a breather and Brandon Mulligan in net, New West would finally get a bit of a run going with a goal from Jordan Howes and two from Tyler Digby; but the damage was already done courtesy of six goals in both the first and second period from Coquitlam, ensuring the A's their impressive tenth win in a row and remaining undefeated so far in the 2009 regular season.

Most impressively on Coquitlam offense was Dinsdale with three helpers to add to his four goals, and Trevor Moore assisting on five of his teams fourteen goals. I wanted to bring extra attention to the defensive players for the A’s after tonight’s performance. Jeff Cornwall didn’t register a point but was instrumental in advancing the ball for a quick transition, and using his outrageous speed to gain the zone. Scott Rouse, Cam McLean, and David Joyce all had great plays at one time or another in the game, and any defensive players that can shut down the powerhouses on a team that won by a margin of 16 goals the night before, deserve some attention. The combination of the ‘Bellies not being able catch a break (with the exception of faceoffs- winning 22 out of 24) and Coquitlam having an eerily smooth flow to their game, resulted in the final score of 14-8. After tonight’s outcome I, along with many others, circled June 23 on my calendar which is the next time these two teams face each other.

With the victory the A’s are now in first place with 20 points, which leaves Victoria in second with 18 points and a game in hand; both teams play their next match this coming Saturday, with the Shamrocks hosting the Thunder and the A’s taking on the Islanders.