All Good Things Come to an End

On Tuesday night Queen's Park was the venue for the final game of the BCJALL regular season; a match up between the ‘Bellies and the Adanacs, who just last week played one of the most exciting games of the season. 

The first game of the season series saw New West narrowly edge the A’s 9-8, last week the score was close again, this time it was Coquitlam breaking the tie with just nine seconds to go in the game. So the final game of the season and series was clearly for bragging rights.

Going into the match, the standings were all set for playoffs with New West sitting six points behind the league-leading A’s. After last weeks game where Jarrett Davis scored the game winner with under ten seconds to go the ‘Bellies were looking for a reprisal game, to show they are just as much of a contender for the Minto Cup.

The first period would end in a two- two tie with Eric Lewthwaite and Alex Turner scoring for New West, and Kelly Kilpatrick and Kevin Riley for Coquitlam. Shots were fairly even and there was a bit of tenacity to the game, but it was clear this was going to be a tactical game.

Halfway through the second Michael Krgovich shot the ball in the high right corner of the ‘Bellies net and it flew out so fast some players thought it just hit the post. After the refs conferred the goal counted, and the A’s were ahead by one. Scott Defrancesco would score to cushion the lead for Coquitlam but the cushion would be short lived.

Max Gallant started the comeback for New West and then assisted on the tying goal from Jordan Howes. Matt MacGrotty would get called for a fairly hard slash on A’s captain Matt Wilson and with a late power play it looked as if Coquitlam could snag a lead. But it was New West who would capitalize with a beautiful short handed goal from Lewthwaite, set up from James Poelzer and goaltender Sean Tessarolo.

New West would start the third with a couple of holding penalties which game Coquitlam ample opportunity to tie it up. Even with some controversy about what time the players were coming out of the box, Coquitlam did tie it up with a power play goal from Kilpatrick, but it wasn’t long before the tables were turned; Coquitlam was called for holding and Gallant would score on the PP for New West to go ahead again. 

As I predicted before the game, the rough stuff would ensue just minutes later with Wilson and Turner ending up in the box for Coquitlam and Poelzer for NW. 

New Adanacs member, Trevor Moore would tie it all up again on the power play, and again it was short lived as Eric Lewthwaite threw in another impressive goal past Dan Lewis to provide the final go- ahead goal of the game.

In the last minute scramble the A’s pulled Lewis and fed Scott Defrancesco in what looked like a promising set up, but to add to the frustration of trailing with time winding down, Francesco’s shot rang off the New West cross bar, bounced off the side boards, took three bounces, and found it’s way right into the A’s empty net. ‘Bellies net minder Sean Tessarolo got credit for the goal and ended the night with three points (1-2).

Final score of the final game of the regular season was 9-6 at Queens Park for the home team. 

Shots were tight, pace was fast, play was strategic, and it was a delicious mix of New West’s defense versus Coquitlam’s offense.

Yes all good things come to an end, but the best is yet to come. Bring on the playoffs!