T-Men Raise Stakes

With a two games to none lead in the quarterfinals, the Salmonbellies came into game three of the series hoping to sweep Nanaimo at Queens Park on Saturday. It was six days since the teams last met, and it appeared the break had done the T-Men good.

As they did in game one, Nanaimo was first to the draw on the score sheet thanks to Colton Clark's first of many on the evening. Also as in game one the 'Bellies would get to work soon after with four quick goals from Kevin Crowley, Ben Davies, Kyle Belton, and Max Gallant. 

Colton Clark would strike again with under a minute left to cut the lead in half, but not to be out-done, Jarett Toll would put New West's goal tally up to five in the first period.

The middle frame would belong to the visiting Timbermen, managing to keep the 'Bellies off the score sheet completely, which hasn't been done since the first period of the July 2nd game when New West lost to the Adanacs.

Clark had two more goals, Kevin Lohr had a short handed goal which was also the tying marker, and Jon Diplock got in on the fun as well for Nanaimo. 

Coming back to take the 6-5 lead sparked the T-Men who came into the third looking poised and focused; but you could sense all the players knew who their opponents were, and the 'Bellies weren't just going to lay down and die for the last twenty.

Ryan Forslund had assisted on three of the previous T-Men goals, got a power play goal of his own to start the third, but Kevin Crowley would counter for New West just twenty seconds later. Colton Clark threw in his fifth and final goal of the evening, but again New West would counter, this time it was Alex Turner dinging it off the post and past Robbie Pierson. Ben Davies would have another goal for New West but Russ Thomas would score with the man advantage, and Forslund would add a final goal to his total to make the final score 10-8 for the visiting Timbermen. 

Both teams would switch their goalies in this game; Sean Tessarolo came out in the second period after letting in five goals on 27 shots. Ray Hodgekinson made good saves in relief for Tessarolo, but at times it looked like there was mis-communication between him and his defense. For Nanaimo, Robbie Pierson came in for Sam Corcoran halfway through the first. Pierson was a huge reason Nanaimo had a chance in this game, making key saves when his team needed him most; he was definitely stoked when the final buzzer rang, and deserved the congrats he got from his teammates.

Nanaimo took a chance and beat one of the best defensive teams in the league at their own game, while making sure to put in goals at the other end. Having two players with six point nights, and one with five gives the T-Men the confidence they need for these quarter-finals, and backs up why they are there in the first place.