Finito

Submitted by League Reporter, Jen Mutas

After 84 games between the eight teams in the BC Junior ‘A’ Lacrosse League, Wednesday night in Coquitlam wrapped up the 2010 regular season is a highly touted game between the league leading Adanacs and the second place Salmonbellies. While the game meant nothing on paper as far as standings were concerned, the two teams have built up quite the rivalry over the last few years, with special attention paid to last year’s BC finals where the A’s took the series in six games over the ‘Bellies.

In 2010, the three game season series was all tied up before Wednesday night as New West took game one 9-8 at Queens Park, and Coquitlam took game two 11-6 at the Coquitlam Sports Center. When the rosters were read out as the teams hit the floor some fans were surprised to see some of Coquitlam’s big names such as Mark Matthews, Brandon Bertoia, Matt Beers, and Robbie Campbell left out of the lineup, and others claimed they anticipated it as Coach Curt Malawsky just resting them up for playoffs and avoiding potential injury.

Big names or not Coquitlam had no problem jumping ahead and taking control of the game from the opening faceoff. Before New West could get a sniff at an offensive opportunity they found themselves down three goals at the first break. Six even strength goals for the Adanacs in the second period compared to the two from New West kept the game heavily weighted in Coquitlam’s favour, and despite a late five goal push by the ‘Bellies in the third period, the final score was 12-7 in favour of the A’s. It wasn’t for a lack of effort from New West as they ended up peppering Dan Lewis with 54 shots compared to the 31 faced by Brandon Mulligan and Frank Scigliano who split tending duties for the ‘Bellies; the Adanacs were clearly exercised the idea of ‘quality over quantity’ when it came to their goals.

With the win the Adanacs claim their third consecutive regular season BCJALL points title with 39, just one point shy of their 2009 season where they finished 20-1 for 40 points. Just a few areas of improvement this year for the A’s: New West had scored the most regular season goals in the league for the past two years until 2010 as the A’s led the league with 256 goals scored. Coquitlam’s defense and goaltending is also highlighted this season as they reduced their goals against to 132 this year compared with 153 last season, and the team also managed to reduce their penalty minutes by 136.

Individually, Matthew Dinsdale and Ben McIntosh led the Adanacs with six points apiece in their last regular season game, and first year intermediate sensation Wesley Berg had five assists to bring his point total to 42 which is good enough for sixth spot in Adanac scoring. Coquitlam goalie Dan Lewis wasn’t tested as much as he’s used to from a top ranked team such as the ‘Bellies, but stood on his head in the second period making twenty saves and letting just two goals past him.

Cody Bremner led the Salmonbellies on the scoresheet for their final regular season game with three goals and one assist, but all eyes were on Tyler Digby as he came into tonight’s game just two points away from tying Shamrock Casey Jackson for the scoring title. Assisting on two goals, Digby went ahead and claimed the title by scoring New West’s last goal of the evening which gives him the grand total of 89 points in twenty games played and also makes him the first ‘Bellie to claim the title in eleven years (Mike Kennedy and Ryan O’Connor tied the title in 1999).

With their placement of first and second spot, both the Adanacs and Salmonbellies receive a bye into the second round of the playoffs where they will face the winner of the Burnaby/Delta and Victoria/Nanaimo series which both get underway this Saturday.

Congratulations to the COQUITLAM ADANACS in their first place regular-season finish, and also toTYLER DIGBY for claiming the 2010 scoring title.