MINTO RECAP: Adanacs off to strong start in Brampton

It wasn't easy - like it usually never Is - but the Coquitlam Adanacs got off on the right foot in the Minto Cup, beating the Mimico Mountaineers 8-6. 

The club flew out to a 5-1 lead after 20 minutes, getting contributions from five different players (T. Scanlan, Koswin, Clayton, Hofseth, Armstrong). Will Clayton joins Coquitlam after winning a silver medal with the Maple Ridge Burrards in the BC Intermediate Lacrosse League and will add a shot in the arm offensively; he had four points on the afternoon.

It was Christian Del Bianco's turn to take over the game in the middle frame, turning aside 25 of Mimico's 27 shots in the 2nd period. He had some fine saves, especially in closing out four separate power play oppoftunities for the Mountaineers.

Mimico had a four-goal run between the second and third period to close the game to within one, but some more Del Bianco brilliance and an Angelo Pontellini marker put the game out of reach. 

The Mountaineers shook off any semblance of a hangover they may have had from the Ontario Finals and dominated much of the play in the final 20. They outshot Coquitlam 15-5 and outscored them 5-3 after a disastrous 1st. 

Andrew Kew had 2 goals and 3 assists on an astounding 20 shots for Mimico. Riley Hutchcraft 31 saves on 39 shots for the loss. 

Dennon Armstrong and John Hofseth teamed up for a pair of 2 goal, 3 assist outputs. Del Bianco ended up making 50 saves on 56 shots and was named the Coquitlam's game MVP.

Christian Del Bianco was named Game MVP.

Coquitlam moves to 1-0 and briefly takes the top of the Minto standings, dependant on what happens in tonight's Six Nations-Okotoks showdown. Mimico is 0-1. 

The A's are back in action tomorrow afternoon when they take on those Alberta champions the Okotoks Raiders. Mimico plays Six Nations in a rematch of the Ontario Finals tomorrow night.