FINALS PREVIEW: Bellies, Adanacs renew acquaintances

Game 1 goes tonight at the Coquitlam Sports Centre with the Adanacs hosting the Salmonbellies. Game 2 goes Monday at Queens Park Arena. All games start at 7:30 PM. 

It's one of the biggest rivalries in Junior lacrosse, and tonight the Coquitlam Adanacs and New Westminster Salmonbellies renew acquaintances once more in their respective quests for a Minto Cup berth. 

Both teams have kept a lot of their core in place, electing not to completely change their makeup of their clubs with just weeks to go before playoffs. Coquitlam was able to add guys like Baden Boyenko, Steph Charbonneau and Nick Jensen while New West added Ontario import goalie Brayden Bell after some early-season additions. 

At the end of the day though, it'll be up to the big guns on either side to prove they can help carry their teams to destiny. It should be an absolute battle, and we'll be there covering it and breaking it down for every step of the way at BCJALL.com. 

(1) COQUITLAM ADANACS V (2) NEW WESTMINSTER SALMONBELLIES 

ALL GAMES START AT 7:30 PST

GAME 1: Friday, July 28 - New West at Coquitlam - Coquitlam Sports Centre 

GAME 2: Monday July 31 - Coquitlam at New West - Queens Park Arena 

GAME 3: Wednesday, August 2 - New West at Coquitlam - Coquitlam Sports Centre 

GAME 4: Friday, August 4 - Coquitlam at New West - Queens Park Arena 

GAME 5: Monday, August 7 - New West at Coquitlam - Coquitlam Sports Centre (If Necessary) 

GAME 6: Wednesday, August 9 - Coquitlam at New West - Queens Park Arena (If Necessary)

GAME 7: Friday, August 11 - New West at Coquitlam - Coquitlam Sports Centre (If Necessary)

2017 HEAD-TO-HEAD

MAY 23 - ADANACS 9 SALMONBELLIES 7

JUNE 13 - ADANACS 9 SALMONBELLIES 8

JUNE 30 - ADANACS 11 SALMONBELLIES 9 (OT) 

STREAMING - PLAYFULLSCREEN

PLAYERS TO WATCH

CONNOR ROBINSON, NEW WEST - 3 GP, 6 G, 9 A, 15 PTS

BADEN BOYENKO, COQUITLAM - 3 GP, 6 G, 6 A, 12 PTS

REID BOWERING, COQUITLAM - Recently named 2-time BCJALL DPOY

ERIK KRATZ, NEW WEST - 3 GP, 3-0, .858 SV% (133 SAVES ON 155 SA) 

Can New West stop the bleeding before it's too late?

The Salmonbellies have proven to be one of the only teams to consistently run with the Adanacs over their three games this year. Look at the margin of error; each game has been decided by two goals or else, and just five goals overall in three contests in 2017. 

New West blew a 6-5 lead going into the 3rd period of their June 13 9-8 loss at home, but it only happened after Coquitlam finished the game scoring the final eight of ten goals, including six unanswered that spanned the late second to the middle of the third period. In their first meeting, the A's broke the game open with four straight. The game the Bellies were able to keep the game from getting away from them, they dropped an exciting OT decision.

New West did a good job keeping Port Coquitlam from going on any big runs when it counts, but the Adanacs are a whole different beast. It's definitely something to look for in the first two games.

Solving the class of the BCJALL

There have been so absolutely standout performances from the league's tendy's this year, but possibly no one has been better this year than Coquitlam's Christian Del Bianco and New West's Erik Kratz. With a year in the NLL under his belt, Del Bianco has been Mr. Reliable for Coquitlam this year. Where he doesn't lead goaltenders in major statistical categories, Kratz does. 

He's been a revelation for the Bellies after a decent rookie BCJALL season. He upgraded his numbers across the board, allowing less goals, stopping more shots and playing almost 100 minutes more. He continued to be legit in the playoffs, actually improving on his save percentage, only allowing 22 goals on 155 shots. If he plays well, he gives New West a legit chance to beat the A's; look no further than Orangeville's stellar goaltending in last year's Minto, and how much that was a boon for the Northmen. 

This is going to be a fantastic display of lacrosse, and we can't wait to watch it with the country's best fans. Don't miss a single minute - head out to Coquitlam or New West, or watch it online on our PPV stream!