The New Westminster Salmonbellies picked up a thrilling 11–7 win to put the Victoria Shamrocks on the brink of elimination.
Victoria held a 7–4 lead early in the third period, but New Westminster stormed back with three straight goals—including two from Mitch Jones in the final 51 seconds—to send the game to overtime.
Momentum can be a funny thing. In the WLA, overtime is not sudden death; teams play a full 10-minute period. The Salmonbellies took full advantage, scoring four times in the extra frame to secure the win.
Frank Scigliano earned the victory in New Westminster’s goal, stopping 42 of 49 shots. Cam Dunkerley got the start for Victoria and turned away 55 of 66 shots.
With the win, New Westminster now holds a 2–1 lead in the best-of-five series. Game 4 goes Thursday night in Victoria.
Salmonbellies Take the Early Edge
The game remained scoreless until Andrew Kew broke through at the 11:55 mark.
Mitch Jones responded with a shorthanded goal off a Will Malcom feed at 13:41 to tie the game.
Victoria regained the lead when Zach Manns scored on the power play at 15:17.
A five-minute major to Victoria’s Ari Stevens for roughing gave New Westminster a lengthy power play. Haiden Dickson capitalized with 1:47 left in the period, and Malcom followed up just 35 seconds later. Dickson added his second of the night with 45 seconds remaining, giving the Salmonbellies a 4–2 lead after one.
Shamrocks Blank the ‘Bellies in the Second
Dunkerley was lights out in the second period, stopping all 17 shots he faced as the Shamrocks outscored the Salmonbellies 4–0. The run extended to five unanswered goals spanning the second and third periods.
Kew struck in transition at 6:16, then again just 18 seconds later off a feed from Elijah Gash to tie the game.
Jesse King gave Victoria the lead on the power play at 8:47, and a bouncing shot from Kyle Pepper at 15:08 made it 6–4 Shamrocks heading into the third.
‘Bellies Send It to Overtime
Marshal King opened the third period with an outside shot at 2:42, extending Victoria’s lead to 7–4.
Dickson brought New Westminster within two at 6:14, shooting from his off-hand side.
Then came the heroics from Mitch Jones. With Scigliano on the bench for the extra attacker, Jones scored with 51 seconds remaining to cut the lead to 7–6.
Still pressing with the extra attacker, Jones struck again with 11 seconds left to tie the game 7–7 and send Queen’s Park Arena into a frenzy.
All Salmonbellies in Overtime
In the full 10-minute overtime period, Jones completed the natural hat trick two minutes in. Just 57 seconds later, Tyler Pace made it 9–7 for New Westminster.
Tye Kurtz scored at 3:39 to extend the lead, and Pace iced the game with 1:40 left to seal the 11–7 win—putting the Shamrocks on the brink of elimination.
Jake Elliott spoke to Mitch Jones following the game:
Top Scorers
New Westminster Salmonbellies
- Mitch Jones: 4G, 3A
- Haiden Dickson: 3G, 3A
- Tye Kurtz: 1G, 4A
- Tyler Pace: 2G, 3A
- Will Malcom: 1G, 4A
Victoria Shamrocks
- Andrew Kew: 3G, 2A
- Marshal King: 1G, 2A
- Jesse King: 1G, 2A
Three Stars
- Mitch Jones – New Westminster Salmonbellies
- Haiden Dickson – New Westminster Salmonbellies
- Cam Dunkerley – Victoria Shamrocks
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