Ahead Again

Submitted by League Reporter, Jen Mutas

For the third time this series, the Adanacs are enjoying a slim one game lead over the Salmonbellies after another successful night in Coquitlam. With home floor advantage being so critical so far in the series, getting even a sniff at a road win could catapult this series in a different direction.

The Salmonbellies proved in game four that even without TJ Cowx, Curtis Dickson, and Eric Lewthwaite (who have combined for a total of 53 points in the post-season), the rest of the team was able to gel together beautifully and beat the Adanacs. The fish would once again be without those three players, knowing a win at Poirier Arena would give them the opportunity to wrap this series up at home at Queens Park on Friday, but once again the reality of who they were up against put a damper in their plans.

Corbyn Tao would be back in the lineup for the A’s after missing game four, and he wasted no time jumping in on plays, providing a beautiful assist as the shot clock ran out on a goal from Matt Dinsdale. New West would pull in tight halfway through the period as Kevin Crowley scored first for the ‘Bellies, quick-sticking a ball from the goal line past starting A’s goalie Danny Lewis. Just twenty six seconds after that Daniel McQuade would continue his point streak as he caught Lewis off guard to give the ‘Bellies the lead. That score would stick until the end of the first period, even with Coquitlam pulling Lewis with a minute and a half left. New West’s hard work would result in a rare lead on the road heading into the second; having the lead is critical, but keeping it against the A’s would be the tough part.

The first penalty of the game would be called in the second period, and be called against New West for holding. If there’s one thing you can’t let Coquitlam do if you want to keep their score down, it’s give them a power play. Even though Neil Tyacke made four saves in the first four minutes of the PK, it was Jordan Weir who would do a great job to set up Robert Church, as he ran from his usual spot at the top of the shooting circle to cut inside leaving his defender in the dust and throwing in the tying goal. A minute and a half later the A’s would finally get their lead back as Weir got a great screen in front and shifted across in front of the crease on the right side. Travis Cornwall would join in the fun, and Matt Beers would take time from agitating to lob a ball past Tyacke, whether it was a fluke or not, it counted for a three goal lead heading into the third.

Going without a goal for almost forty minutes, the ‘Bellies would finally crack Lewis in the third on a power play goal from McQuade. Brett Mydske followed up with a hard drive to the net, but two more goals from Tao and Dinsdale would be enough to give the A’s the 7-4 win. With three minutes left in the game Joyce would be sent to the penalty box for an illegal stick but that’s the extent of the excitement for the game as the match fizzled after Mydske’s goal.

If New West had continued playing like they did in the first period this could have been a completely different game. The ‘Bellies had that edge on the A’s that just couldn’t carry over in the last two periods, and the four goals in the second was the demise of New West. Coquitlam gave their visitors a defensive migraine, shutting them down at almost every turn. Jeff Cornwall did a fantastic job whenever he was checking Kevin Crowley, not letting him wind up for a pass, let alone a shot.

Game six goes down Friday night at Queens Park in New West; look for the ‘Bellies to work their home floor and crowd for the win to force game seven, and for Coquitlam to shoot for the upset road win. Game time is 8pm- see you there!