Last Zero Standing

Submitted by League Reporter, Jen Mutas

Photos supplied by Paul Sparrow

I could spend this entire article explaining the intricate facets of the rivalry between New Westminster and Coquitlam, but instead I will quickly revisit the most relevant meeting between these two giants in the BCJALL. On Friday August 14th these two teams took the floor in what would be the final game played of the 2009 Junior ‘A’ league finals. After two periods the score was 6-2 for the A’s and it seemed they would cruise to victory. New West managed to make it a game scoring three in the last period, but Coquitlam held on winning the game by the slim score of 6-5; taking game six, the BCJALL championship title, and more importantly- the trip to the Minto.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Salmonbellies Governor Walt Weaver pictured with his family during jersey retirement ceremony.[/caption]

The intensity didn’t stop there though; while New West was celebrating there were arms waving all over the Coquitlam bench and there looked to be a discrepancy at the last second. Some people saw Adanacs Head Coach Curt Malawsky signal a time out that wasn’t called, others saw him motion for a too many men penalty as the offense and defense were changing at the New West bench, which would have resulted in a penalty shot if called. After players from each team pleaded their case to the referees the game would stand as-is, and would end with New West winning 9-8 over Coquitlam.

With the intense win the ‘Bellies are now the team to beat in the BCJALL, and in 23 days they will face the Adanacs again, except this time on Coquitlam’s floor; one to mark on the calendar for sure!