The New Westminster Salmonbellies opened the Mann Cup with a thrilling 11-8 overtime win over the heavily favoured Six Nations Chiefs on Friday night at Queen’s Park Arena in New Westminster.
It didn’t take Mitch Jones long to make his mark in the series, scoring three of the Salmonbellies’ first four goals. New Westminster now leads the best-of-seven series 1-0.
The Salmonbellies controlled the game early, building as much as a four-goal lead. But the Chiefs stormed back with a late five-goal run.
Haiden Dickson was the hero in regulation, tying the game with one second left on the clock to force overtime.
In the extra period, the teams exchanged goals before New Westminster pulled away with three unanswered markers to seal the win.
Any doubts about Frank Scigliano in goal for the Salmonbellies were erased. He was outstanding, stopping 53 of 61 shots. At the other end, Doug Jamieson made 42 saves on 52 shots for Six Nations.
All Salmonbellies in the First
New Westminster jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the opening period, while Scigliano turned aside all 15 shots he faced.
Jones opened the scoring on the power play at 3:45 with a shot through traffic. Will Malcom made it 2-0 at 6:49 with a rocket from outside.
Six Nations had a chance to respond when Brad Kri was awarded a penalty shot, but he missed the net.
Jones capped off the first-period scoring with 3:40 left, sending the Salmonbellies into the break up 3-0.
Six Nations Claws Back
The Chiefs finally broke through after going scoreless for 23:10. Dawson Theede found Cody Jamieson alone in front to make it 3-1.
Jones completed his hat trick at 6:51 of the second period, burying a rebound to restore the three-goal lead.
Dickson added another at 9:20 to make it 5-1, but Six Nations answered. Josh Byrne set up Shayne Jackson in close at 10:41.
Malcom restored the four-goal cushion at 13:32, but Theede struck at 16:45 to spark a five-goal Chiefs run that carried into the third.
Cody Jamieson added another late in the frame, cutting the deficit to 6-4 heading into the third period.
Dickson Sends the Game Into Overtime
Six Nations carried its momentum into the third. Dhane Smith scored his first of the Mann Cup at 5:46, and Ryan Smith tied the game at 11:30 with an unassisted goal.
With 3:58 left, Dhane Smith bounced one past Scigliano to give the Chiefs their first lead of the game at 7-6.
In the dying seconds, Six Nations missed an empty net, and Drew Belgrave quickly moved the ball up floor. He found Dickson, who buried a five-hole shot on Jamieson with just one second remaining to tie the game 7-7 and force overtime.
Salmonbellies Take Game 1
Mann Cup overtime is not sudden death, and the Salmonbellies wasted no time regaining control. Jones scored his fourth of the night on the power play to put New Westminster ahead.
The Chiefs tied it again less than two minutes later on a goal from Jackson, but the Salmonbellies finished strong.
Reece Callies scored unassisted at 16:31 for the eventual game-winner. Malcom and Jeff Cornwall added insurance goals as New Westminster took Game 1, 11-8.
Top Scorers
New Westminster Salmonbellies
- Mitch Jones – 4G, 1A
- Tye Kurtz – 4A
- Will Malcom – 3G, 1A
Six Nations Chiefs
- Dhane Smith – 2G, 2A
- Ryan Smith – 1G, 3A
- Josh Byrne – 3A
Players of the Game
- Mitch Jones – New Westminster Salmonbellies
- Doug Jamieson – Six Nations Chiefs
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