Salmonbellies and Shamrocks Tied After Two Games

new Westminster vs. Victoria

SERIES TIED 1-1

GAME 1 - NW 9-8 (2OT) 

GAME 2 - VIC 10-7    

GAME 3 - SATURDAY - THE Q CENTRE - 4 PM

PHOTO BY JENNIFER GAUTHIER - NEW WEST RECORD  

It was a tale of two finishes for the Victoria Shamrocks, who were able to restore home-floor advantage by staving off a comeback from the New Westminster Salmonbellies  to even their best-of-seven series at 1 game apiece.

Despite coming back with only 11 seconds left to play in Game 1, the Shamrocks saw the opener slip away from them in sudden death Double OT off the stick of Will Malcom. Game 2 was a different story that saw Victoria lead wire-to-wire. but in a lot of ways was similar in Game 1. Victoria jumped out to a 4-0 lead just six minutes into the game off a pair of goals by Teioshontathe Mccomber. Victoria would later extend the lead to 7-2 after 20 minutes of play, capped off by a Brian Robb goal on the Power Play. 

The 'Bellies would start to make their run in the second period, ripping off a four-goal run including a Gabe Procyk tally that came with the goalie pulled and just a second on the clock. The opening ten minutes of the 3rd period featured some tough defence and strong goaltending before the 'Rocks restored a two-goal lead courtesy of Patrick Dodds. Cameron Dunkerley was solid by making 48 saves on 55 shots. 

Both teams have reason to feel confident about winning what's now become a best-of-five. New West has only allowed 85 shots even with the overtime period, they just need either Kyle Hebert or Keegan Melenychuk to have a repeat of Hebert's Game 1 performance. Victoria showed some poise in jumping out to a big lead under 24 hours after a tough loss and then holding on to it throughout the game. 

Game 3 will be another interesting with Victoria looking to be the first team to put up a home win.