POWER RANKINGS: A's climb back on top

There was no better way to remember Harry Ferguson and all his contributions to lacrosse in B.C. than to see a classic Salmonbellies-Adanacs matchup last Tuesday night. The pace, scoring, and skill were some of the best we've seen so far this year, and it resulted in an entertaining and predictably chippy 9-7 Coquitlam win. 

But it showed New Westminster could hang with the top team in the league and can be among the league's best themselves every night. Coquitlam got some great output from their new trio of acquisitions in Tommy Scanlan, Philip Buque and Keenan Koswin who all played a part in the win. New West's new signing Larson Sundown was also effective in his debut, getting inside the 24 with the ball for a couple of quality scoring chances. 

Across the rest of the league, some teams were able to build momentum while others struggled. It all makes up for an intriguing playoff picture with some teams already at the halfway point of their respective seasons. 

1. COQUITLAM ADANACS (9-1) (3)

LAST WEEK: Beat Delta 13-8; Beat Victoria 12-6; Beat New West 9-7; Beat Poco 8-6

THIS WEEK: Host Langley Friday, 7:30 PM

The Adanacs are back on top of the rankings after running the slate in a busy week against tough opposition. 

A team who seems comfortable with sharing the wealth on any given night, the A's already have five scorers above 20 points. Dennon Armstrong is leading the league in goals with 21 and is just an assist behind Connor Robinson for most points with 43. John Hofseth has only played five games, but has 17 point, good for 3.40 points per game. 

In front of the league's top goaltender thus far is a solid defence who take more opportunities to fast break up the floor. Ethan Ticehurst had a prime example in the New West game, when he turned a quick transition into a key shorthanded goal that extended their lead. 

They have a big contest coming this Friday at home as they look to avenge an early season loss to the Langley Thunder.

2. NEW WESTMINSTER SALMONBELLIES (7-1) (1)

LAST WEEK: Lost to Coquitlam 9-7; Beat Langley 10-9 (OT); Beat Victoria 15-11

THIS WEEK: Host Burnaby Tuesday, 8 PM; Visit Nanaimo Saturday, 4:30 PM

New West's game against Langley could've easily ended a different way, given it was a short turnaround after playing Coquitlam in a physical affair. But the team gutted it out and that's what separates the two clubs in the standings right now. 

2nd star of the week Larson Sundown has proved to be a big impact player for the 'Bellies, averaging three points a game so far, including a blistering four goals on seven shots against Victoria. The team has really solid depth throughout the roster and they are also still missing Mitchell Flintoff, who had 55 points in 20 games last season. 

With two winnable games this week, New West could extend their record to 9-1 and make up some ground on first place.

DEGROOT, ROBINSON, UEMA-MARTIN NAMED 3 STARS

3. LANGLEY THUNDER (6-3) (2)

LAST WEEK: Beat Victoria 11-6; Lost to New West 10-9 (OT); Beat Delta 12-6

THIS WEEK: Host Delta on Thursday, 7:30 PM; Visit Coquitlam Friday, 8 PM

The fortunes could have been different for the Thunder against New West, but they get a little home cookin' of a different variety when they move back into the LEC from the Field House on Thursday. 

They doubled up on Delta last week 12-6, a four-goal run in eight minutes in the second period extending Langley's lead to 9-2. Jake Sundar had 39 saves on 45 shots and had an assist on Aaron Skye's transition gino. Torin Van Rheenan played in the overtime loss, making 38 saves in 70 minutes of work.  

A big test against Coquitlam looms, especially playing on the road, but it could be another opportunity for the team to prove they are for real this year.

4. PORT COQUITLAM SAINTS (4-5) (7)

LAST WEEK: Beat Nanaimo 17-8; Beat Delta 14-9; Lost to Coquitlam 8-6; Beat Victoria 17-9

THIS WEEK: Visit Victoria Saturday, 5 PM

After struggling to score early in the year, the Saints have now ripped off 56 goals in the last four games and now sit fourth in the league in goals with 96, but the Shamrocks do have two games in hand. 

That's coincided with the return of many of their top guys from school. Guys like Ryland Rees and Dylan Foulds are playing great lacrosse and the Saints looked great against the Adanacs. Although they fell just short, they battled back from being down 4-1 to tieing it at fours on a Carson Rees rip. They also had a rough and tumble 14-9 win over Delta that featured over 150 penalty minutes. 

Poco heads over to Victoria to complete the back half of a home-and-home with the Rocks. They played this past Sunday in Maple Ridge, with the Saints showing some of that offensive skill. You can expect Victoria to bring their best in this Saturday's rematch.

5. VICTORIA SHAMROCKS (4-7) (5)

LAST WEEK: Lost to Langley 11-6; Lost to Coquitlam 12-6; Lost to New West 11-5; Lost to Poco 17-9

THIS WEEK: Host Poco Saturday, 5 PM; Travel to Delta Sunday, 5:30 PM (Sungod Arena) 

The Shamrocks struggled a bit over the last week, but it gave them a great litmus test to find out what their roster looks like against some of the top competition in the league.

It will also be interesting to see how Victoria responds to their loss to the Saints last weekend. Travel definitely played a factor as Poco came out of the first period with an 8-3 lead. The team hasn't played with a full roster for most of the year, but will have to lean on guys like Cole Pickup (36 points in 10 games), Braylon Lumb (34 in 11) and Brian Robb (30 in 9) to continue helping them fill the net as they hunt for more wins.

These 2 games will give them just eight left on the year, but it could serve as a weekend of momentum that helps them turn around that 4-7 record.

6. BURNABY LAKERS (2-5-1) (6)

LAST WEEK: Tied Nanaimo 10-10

THIS WEEK: Travel to New West on Tuesday, 8 PM; Travel to Delta on Saturday, 7 PM

The Lakers were mostly idle last week, but tied the Timbermen last season 10-10 on the Island. Things are moving along nicely for this young group, who show a little bit more in every game they play. 

Two tough tests await them this week, though. The Bellies are a strong team, but if Burnaby can get their transition game going and not get bogged down in playing too much defense, they will make a game of it. The Islanders also represent a great opportunity to put one in the win column this weekend, although going to Ladner and winning is no easy task. 

Elijah Uema-Martin was strong in that tie against Nanaimo and is having himself a nice rookie season in the net. He could be a key guy to watch as the season progresses for Burnaby. 

UPCOMING SCHEDULE

7. DELTA ISLANDERS (2-7) (8)

LAST WEEK: Lost to Coquitlam 13-8; Lost to Poco 14-9; Lost to Langley 12-6; Beat Nanaimo 17-11

THIS WEEK: Travel to Langley on Thursday, 7:30 PM; Host Burnaby on Saturday, 7 PM; Host Victoria on Sunday, 5:30 PM (Sungod Arena) 

The Islanders also had themselves a bit of a tough week, losing three of four, but also capping it off with a successful 17-11 win over Nanaimo.

Delta also returns to the LEC last week, and they may be rejuvenated by the last time they played there in the Minto Cup. They competed with the Thunder for large parts of last week's game, and American import Austin Mello got his first goal as an Islander. 

They have a busy weekend ahead in two contests against Burnaby and Victoria. They will be looking to avenge the Lakers' comeback in their 13-11 loss in the two clubs last meeting. 

8. NANAIMO TIMBERMEN (2-7-1) (6) 

LAST WEEK: Tied Burnaby 10-10; Lost to Poco 17-8; Lost to Delta 17-11

THIS WEEK: Host New West on Saturday, 4:30 PM

If Nanaimo can find a bit of consistency and string a few wins together, this looks like a formidable team. There's still a lot of improvement that can come out of the black, red and white, but they had a good showing against the Lakers and will be well rested when the Bellies come to town on Saturday. 

Hosting the Islanders in Duncan last weekend, Nanaimo allowed Delta to score five straight second run and never recovered. They showed some fight in the third period, only being outscored 3-2 and outshot the Islanders 14-11 in the final frame. 

Alec Molander and Cody Clark are having excellent seasons for the T-Men and the team is still young' they've featured nine different callups this year.