David vs Goliath.
The Salmonbellies will begin its playoff fight against the undefeated Victoria Shamrocks on Wednesday, Aug. 7 after a regular season that saw New Westminster go 8-10-0 and finish with 16 points.
After last year's Mann Cup Run, Salmonbellies narrowly made the 2024 Western Lacrosse Association playoffs, finishing in fourth place, just one point up on the Coquitlam Adanacs.
The Salmonbellies finished their 2024 campaign on a two-game losing streak.
The Shamrocks dominated the regular season, going 18-0-0 and finishing with 36 points.
New West lost to Victoria 16-7 on June 27, 15-13 on on July 5 and 11-5 on Aug. 1.
The first round schedule between New Westminster and Victoria is as follows:
- Aug. 7 at 6:30 p.m. (Q Centre, Victoria)
- Aug. 9 at 6:30 p.m. (Queen's Park Arena, New Westminster)
- Aug. 11 at 6 p.m. (Q Centre, Victoria)
- Aug. 13 at 6:30 p.m. (Queen's Park Arena, New Westminster) *If necessary*
- Aug. 15 at 6:30 p.m. (Q Centre, Victoria) *If necessary*
Malcolm recognized
New West forward Will Malcom received the 2024 WLA Scoring Leader Award for the regular season after finishing with 52 goals and 60 assists for 112 points in 18 games played.
He was also named the winner of the 2024 3 Star Award, selected a the first star of the game 13 times in 18 games played.
Malcom was also named to the WLA All-Star First Team alongside teammate Drew Belgrave.
