The New Westminster Salmonbellies’ offence came alive in a 10-5 win over the Coquitlam Adanacs in Game 2 of the WLA championship final on Thursday night.
With the victory, the series is tied 1-1 heading into Game 3 at the Poirier Sports Complex in Coquitlam on Saturday night.
Frank Scigliano was once again sensational in net for the Salmonbellies, stopping 44 of 49 shots. The Adanacs outshot New Westminster 49-44. Christian Del Bianco made 34 saves on 44 shots in the loss for Coquitlam.
Mitch Jones led the way for New Westminster with a hat trick and an assist. Ryan Martel added two goals and an assist, while Will Malcom chipped in with a goal and two assists.
Coquitlam’s goals came from Kean Moon, Brett McIntyre, James Rahe, Riley Isaacs and Brian Gillis.
Big First Period for New Westminster
New Westminster stormed out to a 6-1 lead in the opening frame.
Drew Belgrave opened the scoring at 8:14, unassisted. Jones made it 2-0 at 9:59.
Isaacs got the Adanacs on the board just 23 seconds later, but the Salmonbellies responded with a six-goal run spanning the first and second periods.
Logan Schuss started the run at 13:05, followed 11 seconds later by Jordan Gilles off a feed from Martel. Off the ensuing faceoff, Martel scored unassisted to make it 5-1.
Jones rounded out the first-period scoring with 2:04 left as New Westminster led 6-1 after 20 minutes.
Salmonbellies Keep Their Foot on the Pedal
The Salmonbellies added two more to open the second period, stretching their lead to seven.
Haiden Dickson scored at 2:21, followed by Malcom off a pass from Jones at 3:09.
Gillis scored for Coquitlam with the extra attacker on the floor at 7:48, but New Westminster answered at 9:21 when Martel found the back of the net.
The defences held strong until Rahe scored for the Adanacs with 1:49 remaining, cutting the deficit to 9-3 heading into the third period.
Salmonbellies Tie Up the Series
Jones scored his third of the night at 8:28 of the final frame to restore New Westminster’s seven-goal lead.
Coquitlam closed the game with a two-goal run. McIntyre scored at 9:42, and Moon added a power-play marker with 7:19 left. However, the Salmonbellies held on for the 10-5 win to even the WLA championship series at one game apiece.
New Westminster’s Ryan Martel gave his thoughts after the game:
Top Scorers
New Westminster Salmonbellies
- Mitch Jones, 3g 1a
- Ryan Martel, 2g 1a
- Will Malcom, 1g 2a
Coquitlam Adanacs
- Kean Moon, 1g 2a
- Brett McIntyre, 1g 1a
- Robbie Turpin, 2a
- Adam Noakes, 2a
- Jalen Chaster, 2a
Three Stars
- Frank Scigliano, New Westminster Salmonbellies
- Mitch Jones, New Westminster Salmonbellies
- Kean Moon, Coquitlam Adanacs
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