Double Digit Dishers

Submitted by League Reporter, Jen Mutas

A week to the day since their home opener the ‘Bellies were back on the historic green floor at Queens Park Arena to take on the Saints. At the last home game versus the Thunder, New West allowed seven power play goals against but would have to play a much tighter game this Tuesday, being up against the Saints who have the leagues’ second best power play.

A good start is important in any game of any sport, and so far in 2010 New West has had no trouble getting their feet moving and putting goals in the net. Jumping out to an early four goal lead seemed to sway the momentum of the game early, and the Saints just couldn’t seem to catch a break.

The ‘Bellies found what was working for them and ran with it; all four goals coming from the shooting circle and clearly frustrating the defense and Carson Michaud in net. Poco hit four posts in the opening twenty minutes and on the three occasions where the Saints did manage to get the ball past New West goalie Brandon Mulligan, the ball seemed to trickle just wide of the net. With just over two minutes left in the first Justin Salt and Ryan MacKay would be sent off at the same time for slashing and cross checking (respectively) and the Saints would have a two man advantage to end out the period and get some offense going. Not only did the ‘Bellies manage to kill the two man advantage, but their goalie Mulligan ended it in style with a ridiculous buzzer-beater stick save on Trevor Evans who looked to have it in the bag.

New West would again have a strong start in the second scoring two goals while playing four-on-four, and after Mark Negrin completed his hat trick Poco decided it was time to switch up goalies, having Mike Lowe come in for Michaud. The Saints would finally get on the board five minutes into the period when Mike Peterson caught New West on a bad line change and ripped one past Mulligan unassisted. From there the Saints would be in and out of the penalty box, squashing any chance of gaining momentum against the ‘Bellies. A short-handed goal from Tyler Digby and two regular strength goals from Leif Mydske would see New West end the second period with a comfortable ten goal lead over the visiting Saints.

Poco’s bad luck seemed to ease up in the third as Evans started off by scoring on the power play, but more penalties would spell the end for the Saints including avoidable ones such as unsportsmanlike. One short-handed goal and two more on the power play would result in another fifteen goal night for the ‘Bellies at home, and keep them even with the Adanacs in the league standings. Looking better towards the end of the third it was an issue of too little too late for the Saints, and with the 15-4 loss they slip into seventh place.

Everyone’s heard the saying “your defense is only as good as your goaltender” and in New West’s case tonight both positions were played to a T. When the ball did make it past the ‘Bellies defense Mulligan stood on his head, making acrobatic saves and denying the Saints multiple times on the doorstep. New West seems to have a valuable method regarding shots on net; in just three games this season they have shot the ball 154 times at their opponents, resulting in a goal average of fourteen per game. Six players on the New West roster had three or more points tonight, showing the depth of the squad who like other teams in the league, are still waiting on key players to return from other commitments.