Stickmen Stuck

With four games gone for each team, New Westminster came into Tuesday’s game hoping to break even and go .500, while South Fraser was looking for their first win this season. Both squads are still coming together as complete teams; the Salmonbellies are waiting on the last of their returning players, and the Stickmen are testing out a new coach.

Graham Chandler got the start in net for South Fraser but the wood floor at Queens Park seemed to get the best of him after letting in goals from Alex Turner, Max Gallant, and Alex Tuura within the first six minutes with only six shots on net. Mike Lowe was brought in, but New West’s fire power was on a roll, and within another couple of minutes there were three more goals from Kyle Belton on the power play, Tyler Lanz, and Matt MacGrotty. 

South Fraser would eventually get on the board with a power play goal from Intermediate call-up Jordan Schulstad but the damage was already done. With eight seconds left in the period Sean Messenger was given a shaky call for slashing, and as New West does so well- capitalized with the man advantage with just 1.6 seconds left on the clock when Tyler Digby beat Lowe.

South Fraser would start the second the way New West started the first, with a goal in the first minute. Neil Halliday had his first of the season when he capitalized on the power play, just squeaking the ball through Ray Hodgekinson’s legs.

And just as they did in the first New West threw a ton of shots at South Fraser and made good work of the juicy rebounds being let out. Adding to his four points in the first (1G,3A’s) Alex Turner scored another four in the middle frame with two goals and two helpers, and team mate Kyle Belton had a couple of goals as well in the second.

Scott Davidson ran the ball to the top of the crease and unloaded a shot on Hodgekinson who made the initial shot but the ball took a weird jump off his pad and in. Chandler was brought back in net halfway through the second for South Fraser, and Neil Tyacke went in for the ‘Bellies with five minutes to go.

After fourty minutes the score was 16-3 and the shots on net told the story of the game. New West more than doubled their shots to 43, but South Fraser only managed to total 25 with one more period left in the match.

Not much action in the third, another power play goal for New West’s Max Gallant who shot an absolute laser from a foot outside the crease, and Mitch Dibblee had another goal with the man up for South Fraser.

Final score from Queens Park was 17-4 for the ‘Bellies with shots at 66-33. Bright spots of the game are as follows:
New West is unbelievable at scoring quickly on the power play. They are very focused on what they want and rarely do they fail. The ‘Bellies capitalized on five of ten power play opportunities and again, all within a minute of the penalty being called.

Despite the score the Stickmen had some bright spots as well, unfortunately over-shadowed by New Wests power. South Fraser is smack-dab in the middle of a coaching shuffle so many areas are still being sorted out. From what I could see, South Fraser was a bit better on possession and passing; but the biggest improvement would have to be the power play. Four goals altogether on the night, three of them with the man advantage. Couple that with their success on the short man, and hopefully the Stickmen can at least generate some special teams offence.

To see these teams in action again this week, South Fraser hosts Delta on Thursday, and New West doesn’t play until Sunday when they host the league- leading Shamrocks.