New Westminster’s junior B lacrosse club handed the previously unbeaten Coquitlam Adanacs two very untimely losses.
The league runner-up Salmonbellies upset the West Coast Junior Lacrosse League regular season champs 2-0 in their best-of-three playoff final to earn a spot at the provincial championships this weekend in Victoria.
New West squeaked by the A’s 11-10 at home in the opening game of the final series on July 24 on Nathan Marken’s unassisted game-winner.
The Jr. B ’Bellies then finished off the Adanacs 9-3 in Coquitlam in Game 2 on Sunday.
In the opener, Marken intercepted the Coquitlam goalie’s attempted outlet pass from inside the crease and one-timed the ball back into the A’s goal with just 34 seconds remaining in a game that went back and forth from the opening whistle.
Cole Bevan led the ’Bellies with five goals and a single assist.
In Coquitlam, New West raced out to a 5-0 first-period lead and led by as many as seven.
“I have to think Coquitlam was prepared to avenge its only loss of the season, but we had nothing to lose,” said New West team manager Ron Booth. “Friday’s game was expected to be a close battle. We knew we could run with Coquitlam.”
Shaun Couzelis played well in goal in front of a strong New West defence. Brandon Wong paced the ’Bellies with five points, including four goals.
New Westminster will face the Thompson/Okanagan representative in its opening game at the provincial championships on Friday.
Medal placement matches will be played on Sunday.
