Salmonbellies and Islanders Take it to Overtime

After a huge third period push on Saturday to come out on top, the New Westminster Salmonbellies were looking to win back-to-back against the Delta Islanders on Tuesday night. As the Salmonbellies won another game before this matchup, both the Salmonbellies and Islanders were tied for 2 ^nd in the standings, proving that every game going forward is a must win.

The first period saw both teams generate numerous chances, but the goaltenders were putting on a clinic and it looked like it was going to be one of those games where one of the goalies is going to have to steal it for you. While ‘Bellies Kevin Orleman made 15 of 17 saves in the first period, Islanders’ RylandHood went a perfect 17 for 17. The first period didn’t see any goals until under 4 minutes left in the period when league leading point-getter TreLeclaire scored followed by a powerplay goal by Spencer Bromley to give the Islanders a 2-0 lead at the end of the first.

The second period opened up a little bit for both teams. The Islanders extended their lead to 3 when JavierTudela scored less than a minute into the period, but then the ‘Bellies finally got into gear, especially on the powerplay. JeremyBosher scored shortly after on the powerplay and it wasn’t until less than 5 minutes remaining in the period when CarterDickson scored followed by another powerplay goal by Bosher to even the game at 3.

However, Islanders’ JaydenCampbell regained the lead for the Islanders before the period ended making it 4-3.

The way the game was turning out to be, it just seemed that whoever had a good start to the third period, would be able to hang on and win this game and it seemed like that for awhile. ‘Bellies BrandonClelland got two minutes for tripping and a misconduct for unsportsmanlike, which the Islanders were able to capitalize on a minute later on the powerplay to make it a 2-goal game.

It looked all said and done until just over 5 minutes were left on the clock and ‘Bellies JohnnyPearson cut the Islanders lead to 1 and about 3 minutes later, PrestonLupul tied the game up at 5 a piece and this game was heading to overtime.

Overtime saw plenty of scoring chances, more so for the Islanders as ‘Bellies goaltender Orleman made 10 stops, while Hood made 4 saves, but it was the ‘Bellies who got the go-ahead goal from Pearson with close to 3 minutes left in overtime.

Unfortunately, the ‘Bellies couldn’t hang on to the lead for another 19 seconds as Bromley tied the game for the Islanders and the game ended in a tie.

THREE STARS OF THE GAME

1. Delta – Ryland Hood – 49 Saves, 55 Shots

2. New Westminster – KevinOrleman – 44 Saves, 50 Shots

3. New Westminster – ConnorRobinson – 4 Assists

While the Salmonbellies most likely won’t catch up to the Adanacs, their next game against the Adanacs this Friday will be a huge game as the ‘Bellies will need to distance themselves from the Islanders and Shamrocks. The Islanders will face off against the Thunder the night before, July 2 in Langley.