Lukas Nielsen led the New Westminster Salmonbellies with five goals as they cruised to a 13-6 win over the Burnaby Lakers on Thursday night in WLA action.
Tied 1-1 early in the first period, the Salmonbellies went on a five-goal run spanning the first and second periods to take control of the game. It was a huge second period for New Westminster, as they outscored Burnaby 9-2.
Along with Nielsen’s six-point night, Noah Armitage had two goals and five assists for the Salmonbellies. Ashton LeClair got the start in goal and stopped 33 of 39 shots for the win.
The Lakers were led by Jake Young with a goal and three assists, while Andrew Cowan had a goal and two assists. Keegan Melenychuk and Marc Rippberger split time in goal and combined for 40 saves on 53 shots.
First Period
It was a rough start for the Lakers, as they gave up a shorthanded goal to Nielsen 4:31 into the game.
Burnaby responded two minutes later when Austin Ducommun found the back of the net to tie the game 1-1.
Will Mackay started the five-goal run for the Salmonbellies with 4:20 left in the first period. Armitage followed that up off an assist from Toru Morimatsu with 2:46 left to make it 3-1 for New Westminster after one period of play.
Second Period
The floodgates continued to open for the Salmonbellies, with Nielsen scoring just 34 seconds into the second period.
Morimatsu scored 50 seconds later to extend New Westminster’s lead to 5-1. Nielsen rounded out the five-goal run at the 2:22 mark to make it a five-goal game.
Burnaby narrowed the lead with a two-goal run of its own, starting with Cowan scoring at the 3:36 mark.
Brandon Woodward scored unassisted for the Lakers at 6:37 as Burnaby trailed 6-3.
New Westminster finished off the second period with a six-goal run to take a commanding lead.
Morimatsu scored unassisted at 12:49, followed by Nobe Noda at 13:17.
Nielsen found the back of the net again for the Salmonbellies with 3:11 left on the clock.
Mackay scored unassisted with 2:24 left, and Nielsen scored 33 seconds later as the Salmonbellies extended their lead to 11-3.
Armitage rounded out the second-period scoring with 1:41 left as the Salmonbellies took a 12-3 lead into the third period.
Third Period
Burnaby ended its scoreless drought 6:55 into the third period with a power-play marker from Young.
Xander Cabeca kept the momentum going for the Lakers at 11:08 to make it 12-5.
Jaeden Laberge scored for the Salmonbellies at 13:26 as New Westminster restored its eight-goal lead.
Hudson Halladay rounded out the scoring with 2:09 left on the clock to make the final 13-6.
Top Scorers
New Westminster Salmonbellies
- Noah Armitage, 2g 5a
- Lukas Nielsen, 5g 1a
- Toru Morimatsu, 2g 3a
Burnaby Lakers
- Jake Young, 1g 3a
- Andrew Cowan, 1g 2a
- Hudson (Finn) Halladay, 1g 1a
- Austin Ducommun, 1g 1a
Three Stars
- Lukas Nielsen, New Westminster Salmonbellies
- Noah Armitage, New Westminster Salmonbellies
- Jake Young, Burnaby Lakers
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