The New Westminster Salmonbellies picked up an 8-6 win over the Coquitlam Adanacs on Monday night and are now just one victory away from the WLA championship.
The win gives New Westminster a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven final.
Goaltender Frank Scigliano was once again a key factor. Although the Adanacs outshot the Salmonbellies 49-46, Scigliano turned aside 43 shots to backstop the victory.
Mitch Jones led the way for New Westminster with a goal and four assists, while Haiden Dickson and Will Malcom each scored twice.
For Coquitlam, Christian Del Bianco returned between the pipes, stopping 37 of 45 shots in the loss. Clark Walter paced the offence with two goals and two assists, while Kean Moon added a goal and two helpers.
The Salmonbellies can clinch the WLA title on Wednesday night in Game 5 at the Poirier Sports Complex in Coquitlam.
Late First-Period Charge Gives Salmonbellies the Lead
The game started as a back-and-forth battle, but a late surge from New Westminster gave them the edge after 20 minutes.
Dickson opened the scoring at 6:12, but Josh Jackson responded unassisted for the Adanacs at 7:52 to tie the game.
New Westminster then went on a four-goal run spanning the first and second periods. Malcom started it with a power-play marker at 14:04.
Ryan Martel rounded out the first-period scoring with an unassisted goal at 17:28 to make it 3-1 Salmonbellies after one.
New Westminster Takes Control
The Salmonbellies struck early in the second. Malcom scored just 25 seconds into the frame, and Jones added another at 4:40 for a 5-1 lead.
The Adanacs answered with two goals of their own. Walter scored at 9:23, and Brett McIntyre cut the deficit to 5-3 at 10:50.
Zac Masson restored momentum for New Westminster with an unassisted tally at 14:35 as the Salmonbellies carried a 6-3 lead into the third.
Salmonbellies Take Commanding Series Lead
Coquitlam fought back early in the third. Noakes scored at 7:03, and Moon followed at 8:58 to make it a one-goal game at 6-5.
But New Westminster responded to put the game out of reach. Dickson scored unassisted at 12:40, and Kurtz added insurance to make it 8-5.
With the extra attacker, Walter scored with 11 seconds left, but it was too late as the Salmonbellies held on for an 8-6 win and a commanding 3-1 series lead.
Top Scorers
New Westminster Salmonbellies
- Mitch Jones, 1g 4a
- Tyler Pace, 3a
- Haiden Dickson, 2g
- Will Malcom, 2g
- Tye Kurtz, 1g 1a
Coquitlam Adanacs
- Clark Walter, 2g 2a
- Kean Moon, 1g 2a
- David Charney, 2a
- Adam Noakes, 1g 1a
Three Stars
- Frank Scigliano, New Westminster Salmonbellies
- Mitch Jones, New Westminster Salmonbellies
- Clark Walter, Coquitlam Adanacs
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