The Six Nations Chiefs rebounded in a big way to defeat the New Westminster Salmonbellies 19-9 in Game 3 of the Mann Cup on Monday night.
Six Nations scored early and often. After a strong start to the series, New Westminster goaltender Frank Scigliano was chased from the net after giving up eight goals in the first period. The win cut New Westminster’s lead in the best-of-seven series to 2-1.
The Chiefs’ big guns came to play on Monday. Dhane Smith led the way with four goals and six assists for 10 points, while Lyle Thompson finished with nine points. Randy Staats and Ryan Smith each added seven.
Doug Jamieson got the start in goal for Six Nations, stopping 29 of 38 shots for the win. He also chipped in offensively with a pair of assists in transition.
For New Westminster, Mitch Jones continued his strong play with a goal and five assists, while Will Malcom recorded a hat trick.
Six Nations Firepower Returns
The Chiefs wasted no time getting on the board. Brendan Bomberry scored off a pass from Nonkon Thompson just 2:44 into the game.
Only 30 seconds later, Malcom replied for the Salmonbellies to tie it.
Six Nations quickly regained control, scoring four goals in 6:33 to take a 5-1 lead. Lyle Thompson and Ryan Smith each scored twice during the run.
Malcom struck again on the power play at 13:18, but Smith answered with a power-play marker of his own less than two minutes later. Jones followed with a goal 16 seconds later, cutting the lead to 6-3.
The Chiefs closed the period strong with goals from Thompson and Smith to make it 8-3 after one.
Chiefs Extend Their Lead
Six Nations kept the pressure on early in the second period. Shayne Jackson scored with an extra attacker before Smith added his fourth of the night to make it 10-3.
Haiden Dickson stopped the bleeding briefly with a goal at 6:21, assisted by Jones.
But the Chiefs responded with another four-goal run. Staats scored twice, while Smith and Dawson Theede also found the back of the net, stretching the lead to 13-4 after two periods.
Chiefs Tighten the Series
Staats struck again just 26 seconds into the third period to push the lead to double digits.
New Westminster mounted a quick three-goal burst in only 34 seconds. Malcom scored on the power play, followed by Jordan Gilles just 11 seconds later. Marcus Klarich, a Mann Cup pickup, added another at 3:02 to make it 14-7.
Staats answered with his fourth at 7:11, but Conner Cook responded for New Westminster two minutes later.
Ian MacKay and Ryan Smith then scored just over a minute apart to make it 17-8. Ryan Sheridan replied for the Salmonbellies at 13:49, assisted by Adam Wiedemann.
Six Nations rounded out the scoring with goals from Staats and Theede, sealing a 19-9 victory and pulling within one game in the series.
Top Scorers
Six Nations Chiefs
- Dhane Smith, 4g 6a
- Lyle Thompson, 3g 6a
- Randy Staats, 4g 3a
- Ryan Smith, 3g 4a
New Westminster Salmonbellies
- Mitch Jones, 1g 5a
- Will Malcom, 3g
- Tye Kurtz, 3a
Players of the Game
- Will Malcom, New Westminster Salmonbellies
- Lyle Thompson, Six Nations Chiefs
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