POWER RANKINGS: Lakers, Shamrocks make the big push

Both the Burnaby Lakers and Victoria Shamrocks have been excellent over the last week, moving their way up the standings with some key wins. 

Burnaby snapped a two-game slump with two quality home wins. After dispatching the Nanaimo Timbermen 13-8, they braved through an overtime upset of the Langley Thunder. That will go a long way with a potential playoff spot on the line, and they've added even more by acquiring goalie Karter Williams from the Poco Saints. 

Victoria had a great weekend as well, putting a pair of great performances together. With Marshal King being injected back into what was already a potent offence, the Shamrocks put up 37 goals into wins over New West and Delta. With some more consistent goaltending, the Rocks have turned things around and moved into 3rd place in the BCJALL.

1. COQUITLAM ADANACS (13-1) (LW: 1)

LAST WEEK: W v. New West 9-8; W v. Nanaimo 12-6; W v. Delta 24-7

THIS WEEK: Sunday v. Victoria

Things keep on rollin' in Coquitlam where the purple and gold are now 13-1 and figuratively moved three games ahead of the Salmonbellies for first in the league. 

Keenan Koswin looks to have been one of the best transactions any team has made in junior this year. The former Saskatchewan Swat product is fitting in just fine on the west coast, scoring almost five points per game with 28 in six games this year. He's a physical left-hander who is willing to get to the middle of the floor and get into other dirty areas. 

2. VICTORIA SHAMROCKS (8-7) (5)

LAST WEEK: W v. New West 14-12; W v. Delta 23-9 

THIS WEEK: Sunday at Coquitlam

The Rocks are getting some timely offensive contributions across the board. They had three players register at least 10 shots on goal in a huge win over the Islanders. 

They get a chance to make it five in a row when they visit the Adanacs on Sunday. It will be the third meeting of the season between the two clubs after Coquitlam won the first two contests 9-7 and 12-6. However, they arguably haven't played a Victoria team at full strength and definitely not since their goaltending has turned the corner. 

With King back in the fold as well, the Shamrocks can't be taken lightly in the stretch run. Despite playing the most games of any team in the BCJALL thus far, they find themselves in an enviable position. 

3. PORT COQUITLAM SAINTS (6-7) (4)

LAST WEEK: W v. Delta 14-5; W v. Langley 8-5

THIS WEEK: Friday, June 23rd v. Coquitlam 

The Saints keep on rolling, picking up a pair of wins against the Islanders and Thunder in impressive fashion. The D is one of the best units in the league and it doesn't seem to matter who's in net for the black and yellow. 

After dispatching Delta in the rematch of their messy first game, the big win arguably came against Langley. They put that D to good use in the third period of that one, holding Langley to just one goal on nine shots in the final frame. It marked the return of Andrew Gallant, who made 36 saves on 41 shots in total. With Gallant returning to a crowded crease, the Saints were able to move Karter Williams to Burnaby for future considerations. 

They've earned a much-needed weekend off and don't return to action until next Friday when they host Coquitlam. 

4. BURNABY LAKERS (4-7-1) (6)

LAST WEEK: W v. Nanaimo 13-8; W v. Langley 10-8 (OT) 

THIS WEEK: Saturday at Delta; Monday v. Coquitlam; Tuesday v. New West

If you were to ask anyone in the Lakers organization, it appears the corner has been turned in the swamp. The team is starting not only wins together, but impressive performances as well. 

It took a true team effort to dispatch the Thunder and pull into sole position of the final playoff position in the league. They were scrappy through the entire game and were finally rewarded with six goals on 29 shots in the 3rd and overtime periods after having just 26 during the first 40. 

Maybe more impressive is how much they rely on winning battles 5-on-5 to win games. Everyone chips in; they had four players with a pair of goals that night, including Mason Pomeroy, Kyle Durec, Damon Prince and Dylan Kaminski. Adding Williams to compete with Elijah Uema-Martin will only do more to strengthen the team's defence down the stretch. 

5. NEW WESTMINSTER SALMONBELLIES (11-3) (2)

LAST WEEK: L v. Victoria 14-12; L v. Coquitlam 9-8 

THIS WEEK: Sunday v. Nanaimo; Tuesday v. Burnaby

After starting the season on a great 11-1 run, a couple of losses in a row have brought the Bellies back down towards the competitive logjam instead of moving upwards.

It's always tough to stay competitive all year when you travel to the Island and for the Bellies it was no different. They struggled to keep up with Victoria's home cookin' on O and their trademark D didn't always look up to the task. They were much better Tuesday against the A's, but were doubled up 4-2 in the 3rd en route to a one goal loss. 

The return of Carter Dickson will certainly help and he's already made an impact, yet you can't help but wonder what kind of moves the Bellies will look to make at the trade deadline.

6. LANGLEY THUNDER (7-7) (3)

LAST WEEK: L v. Burnaby 10-8 (OT); L v. Poco 8-5

THIS WEEK: Saturday at Nanaimo; Thursday v. Coquitlam 

Losers of four straight, the Thunder have also allowed a strong start derail a bit as the team struggles to find some consistency. 

The easy thing to point to is how much the O has suffered, posting only six goals a game during this current slump. That's a whole five goals less per game during the four games before then. An opportunity to right that ship comes this weekend, but it won't be easy to travel to Nanaimo and get a big win. The T-Men are hungry to right their own ship and will be raring to go at Frank Crane. 

7. NANAIMO TIMBERMEN (2-10-1) (8)

LAST WEEK: L v. Coquitlam 12-6; L v. Burnaby 13-8

THIS WEEK: Saturday v. Langley; Sunday at New West

One thing the Nanaimo Timbermen can lean on is a strong, balanced offence that gets contributions from a number of players. Even better? Most of these players are call ups or are in the first two years of their Jr. A careers. 

Cody Clark, Alec Molander and Adam Golia seem to stir the drink most nights, but they also have gotten strong seasons from Pascal Coombs, Jake Mickelson and Tyson Black. Darian Claxton and Kain Stewart are doing their part to keep them competitive in most games as well. You get the feeling things can turn around here before the end of the season, and they sit just two games out from a playoff spot. 

8. DELTA ISLANDERS (3-12) (7) 

LAST WEEK: L v. Coquitlam 24-7; L v. Poco 14-5; L v. Victoria 23-9

THIS WEEK: Saturday v. Burnaby

It definitely has been a season to forget for the Islanders. Coming in with high hopes but largely a new crew of players, the team struggled right out of the gate and just hasn't been able to rekindle the magic they had during last season's Minto run. 

More bad news keeps on coming. Intermediate goalie Brody Harris is at risk of losing his BCILL eligibility and that has hurt the Islanders given his stats suggest he is probably their most reliable option right now. In 405 minutes he holds a .778 save percentage and has faced 360 shots. They expected Tre Leclaire back in the lineup after a NCAA finals appearance with Ohio State, but an injury isn't going to make that possible either.

They do get a chance to make it four in the win column when the red-hot Lakers come to town Saturday night.