GAME RECAP: Bellies shine in Game 2 win in Poco

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Coming into Game 2, it was obvious what the Saints needed to do in order to even give themselves a chance to compete in each game: start the game strong. 

In Game 1, the Poco Saints dug themselves a hole early, one too difficult to pull themselves out of. The talk was to make the changes necessary to come charging out of the gate at home in Game 2. But Friday night's game was much of the same, as New West jumped out to a 4-0 lead before 12 minutes were gone in the 1st period. That frame ended 4-1, still giving the Saints faint hope of getting back in to this one.

They answered the call in the 2nd period, moving the ball much better on offense and settling down a bit on both defense and in transition. After Connor Robinson tallied 1:23 into the 2nd period, the Saints scored four of the next five and trailed 6-5 heading into the final frame. Clarke Walter had a fine game with four goals, including back-to-back markers that brought the game to within one. 

But the Bellies were back to dominance, showing the opposition fans they simply know how to close games out. They got four goals from four different scorers (Stokes, Rice, Chaykowsky & Robinson) to ensure victory and push the Saints to the brink of elimination. Chaykowsky did find himself hitting the showers early and could be facing suspension in a pivotal Game 3 after officials tossed him for a butt end with just over a minute remaining in the game. 

Both goaltenders were strong, with Erik Kratz making 42 of 49 saves (.857 SV %) for his second win of the playoffs and Andrew Gallant stopping 44 of 54 (.814 SV %). 

Poco was 3-for-10 with the man advantage, while the Bellies scored two early ones to go 2-for-6. 

THREE STARS

1ST STAR - BRINE RICE, NEW WESTMINSTER (3 G, 2 A) - Rice was a key figure in New West's early 1st period barrage, scoring a pair and then extending his team's lead to 8-5 in the 3rd period. One of his best games in his two-year Bellies career.

2ND STAR - CLARKE WALTER, POCO (4 G) - One of the only sources of consistent offence in this series so far, Walter had a great night in a losing cause. His pair of goals at the end of the 2nd gave the team some momentum heading into the final 20. He now has 5 goals in the first 2 games, and 9 points in 4 career playoff games overall (7 G, 2 A). 

3RD STAR - GREG LUNDE, POCO (1 G, 5 A) - Lunde led all scorers with six points Friday night, having a particularly strong game for the Saints. 

BOXSCORE: http://www.bcjall.com/stats#/23/game/126213/boxscore?season_id=613

The Saints will look to salvage their season on Tuesday when they return to the wood floor at QPA for a 7:30 ball drop. 

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