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Penney re-ups with Bellies for 2016

A big part of last year’s march to the Western Lacrosse Association final will be intact for another push.
Eric Penney
Last year's Most Outstanding Goalie in the Western Lacrosse Association, Eric Penney has committed to play another season with the New Westminster Salmonbellies. He's currently handling some of the netminding duties with the National Lacrosse League's Vancouver Stealth.

A big part of last year’s march to the Western Lacrosse Association final will be intact for another push.
The New Westminster Salmonbellies announced on the weekend that the 2015 WLA Most Outstanding Goalie and co-rookie of the year, Eric Penney, has re-upped for the coming season and will join forces again with Alexis Buque to provide the club with a great one-two punch to challenge for a league title.
 “We look at Eric and Alexis as a similar tandem that we had in Tyler Richards and Matt Roik in 2008-09 – they are both top-line goalkeepers, and you can do very well with two goalies competing for playing time, working together,” said New West general manager Dan Richardson.
“I think how you build a winning team is you start with goaltending, defence and then work in the offence.”
The two are currently playing in the National Lacrosse League –Buque in Colorado and Penney with the Vancouver Stealth.
With a struggling Vancouver lineup, 22-year-old Penney’s second-year numbers reflect the overall team performance, with a 14.08 goals-against average and .718 save percentage.
Buque, meanwhile, is also in his second pro season and holds a 12.95 goals-against average and .758 save percentage. He was named to the NLL’s 2015 All-Rookie team.
Both netminders learned their trade growing up in Ontario, but have found a home on the west coast.
“I know people out there think (Penney) has struggled in the NLL but honestly, nearly all young goalies have a similar growing pain in that league,” noted Richardson.
“I’m not worried one bit about him. He’s a capable No. 1 goalie for us, as is (Buque).”
New West also announced a handful of commitments for the coming season, including first all-star team transition player Jeff Cornwall, Tyler Crompton, Justin Goodwin, Jimmy and Jordan McBride, Patrick Miles and Reid Mydske.
Among those signing up for 2016 are trade acquisitions Brett Dobray and Quinn McKay, 2014 WLA first rounder Sean Lundstrom and 2016 draft pick Dane Sorensen. The club hopes to add its top pick from the February draft, Michael Messenger, once his college season at Limestone is completed.
The Salmonbellies are slated to play the Maple Ridge Burrards in an exhibition test on May 9 at Queen’s Park Arena. The regular season kicks off May 21 when New West visits Coquitlam.