Woo hoo, Bellies!
What a game! The Bellies played great against the Adanacs tonight, taking game number 1 in the WLA finals 14 to 5. The entire team played well, and while Cliff Smith, Chris Gill, and Ilija Gajic took the first, second, and third stars of the game, the rest of the team was right up there with them. My personal star of the game goes to Bellies’ Peter McFetridge. He was all heart and soul out there. He got an assist on a great play he set up and even reached into the net to make a save when Richards wasn’t there to do it himself.
The Adanacs on the other hand, didn’t have a single player who stood out in terms of skill. Yeah, they’re a good team and the game was a lot closer than it looked on paper, but overall they were underwhelming except in the area in which they excel—mouthing off. I think they need to change their MO up a bit if they hope to take the series (or even a game). They need to get more of their shots onto the net (not missing by a foot or two). If they’d put half the effort they put into taunting into getting the ball into the net, there’d have been a different outcome.
What was interesting tonight was the difference in the two Adanacs’ goalies. Atherton, who started the game, managed to get himself worked up into a lather by the end of the second period. He was bickering with the ref, harassing other players, and just being an overall goof. In the third period, he looked like a toddler gearing up for a tantrum. Levis on the other hand, looked completely dejected after each shot he let in. It was rather sad and pathetic, yet comedic at the same time. Still, I don’t think tonight’s game came down to goaltending. Atherton made an amazing 43 saves. The Bellies just played a much better game, both offensively and defensively, and deserved to take this one. Way to go, guys!
Labels: Coquitlam Adanacs, New Westminster Salmonbellies, WLA finals finals
Lacrosse game rained out
Leaks in the roof of the Coquitlam Sports Centre led to the cancellation of a crucial game between the Adanacs and Langley Thunder as they vie for third place in the WLA standings. According to
this article, the game will likely go ahead tomorrow in Coquitlam--unless it rains.
Labels: Coquitlam Adanacs, Langley Thunder, rainout
Salmonbellies move into second place
The Bellies moved into second place tonight with a
solid (6 to 3) win against the Coquitlam Adanacs. Goalies for both teams (Tyler Richards for the Bellies and Chris Levis for the As) played extremely well, making 78 saves between them.
After a mediocre first period that saw the As gain a 2-nothing lead, the Bellies turned it on, scoring five goals in the second period (to Coquitlam's one) and yet another in the third period.
The second period was filled with violations, including a huge brawl for which four players (Campeau and Forget from Coquitlam, and Westwood and Ross from New West) got game misconducts.
New Westminster doesn't play again until next Thursday, when they take on Nanaimo at Queen's Park.
Labels: Coquitlam Adanacs, New Westminster Salmonbellies
Much better
The Bellies played the Adanacs in Coquitlam today. They lost, but they played much better than they've played in the last few home games I've seen. Honestly, I think that dang organ music in Queen's Park is sapping them of their energy. Heck, it's affecting the fans. Everyone in my section groans when the organist plays ditties from the past like Camptown Races and Three Blind Mice. Imagine playing lacrosse to Three Blind Mice.
Tonight's highlights were:
1) Seeing the Bellies score three goals in a minute at the bottom of the second period and two more at the top of the third, bringing the score to 10-8 for Coquitlam. Unfortunately, they couldn't get another one past Levis, and Coquitlam scored again, so the final result was 11-8.
2) Watching Cliff Smith fight. I know, I shouldn't be advocating violence, but Smith is just great to watch: so fast, so smooth, so accurate in his punches.
3) Seeing some life in the Bellies. Honestly, the last couple of games have been rather boring to watch. Even though they lost tonight, they played hard and looked good.
Lowlights:
1) Having the Bellies get a penalty for delay of game for throwing the ball over the back netting. Who knew the netting didn't go all the way to the ceiling? And really, why would a player deliberately delay a game in the first period, when the score is two all?
2) As always, the Veltman brothers and Dane Dobbie. Sorry, but I just don't like 'em. They're rude and obnoxious and completely unsportsmanlike.
3) Having to watch a goalie let in shot after shot, knowing that the coach won't pull him until it's too late to catch up. It's happening a bit too much with the Bellies this season (with each goalie).
Next week, the Bellies play host to Maple Ridge. If they don't play well, I'm going to blame it on the organ music.
Labels: Coquitlam Adanacs, New Westminster Salmonbellies, Queen's Park Arena
And the Salmonbellies are off to Ontario!
Well, the Bellies are off to Ontario next month to continue their quest for their 25th Mann Cup. They beat the Coquitlam Adanacs 11-8 tonight at the Coquitlam Sports Centre, again in front of a largely New West crowd.
Kudos to Bubba Westwood for his breakaway goal early on in the third period. Not only did it tie things up, but it gave the Bellies that extra push they needed to regain control of the game. Kudos also to Adanacs goalie Chris Levis for playing his best game of the finals. And of course, kudos to the Belly fans who threw fish out onto the floor in the final moments of play. Nice touch.
Boos and hisses to Andrew McBride for getting a game misconduct in the first period and to Adanacs' captain Bruce Murray for tossing the team's silver medal into the boards moments after accepting it. No wonder so many Adanacs fans don't stick around until the end of the game.
Labels: Coquitlam Adanacs, Mann Cup 2008, New Westminster Salmonbellies, WLA lacrosse
Way to go, Bellies
Wow, am I ever relieved that the New Westminster Salmonbellies beat the Coquitlam Adanacs in the second game of the WLA finals. You see, tonight the Adanacs had two extra players on their team: referees Todd Labranche and Keith Williams. Only once before have I seen such blatantly biased refereeing and that wasn't in a lacrosse game, nor was it at this high level of play. If the Salmonbellies had lost, this post would have read like a bad case of sour grapes. Since they won, however, I can call it as I saw it. The reffing stunk.
If you look at the
scoresheet, New West spent far more time in the penalty box (24 minutes as opposed to 16 minutes for the As). In actual fact, however, the Bellies' minor infractions usually resulted in penalties while similar plays by the As were considered interference only. What's more, the Adanacs' blatant choking, high sticking (as in a stick audibly contacting a helmet), tripping, and holding went uncalled as was Ray Guze's incessant mouthing off to the refs, especially after each of his three penalties.
I was reminded tonight of the three things I hate the most about the Adanacs. They are (in no particular order): Ray Guze, Andrew McBride, and Peter Veltman (although I'll admit that Veltman was rather mellow tonight).
Way to show support for the Salmonbellies, New West fans. Bellies fans outnumbered Coquitlam fans about 3-1. Not bad for an away game. Mind you, if I lived in Coquitlam, I don't think I'd support the Adanacs. I prefer teams who play hard but play fair. I have yet to see the Adanacs play fair.
Labels: Coquitlam Adanacs, lacrosse, New Westminster Salmonbellies, wla 2008
Bellies stick it to the Adanacs
The New Westminster Salmonbellies put on a great show tonight at Queen's Park Arena. They were a well-oiled machine. I'm not sure what was wrong with the
Adanacs, but the Bellies ran circles around them. Even during the pre-game warm-up, it was obvious which team was in the better position to win. The As looked defeated before the first face-off. And the Bellies' scoring three goals in the first three minutes of play didn't help the Adanacs any either.
The As did manage to score on a power play in the second period. It was too bad. I was hoping the Bellies would get a shut-out.
Final score: 10-1 for the Bellies. Game 2 in the best of 7 is Thursday night in Coquitlam.
Labels: Coquitlam Adanacs, lacrosse, New Westminster Salmonbellies, WLA
Equipment infraction decides another game
It's rather interesting that a late-in-the game equipment call decides the outcome of a
game. I find it annoying that the results of so many lacrosse games hang perilously on the decisions of refs. I disagree with Adanacs GM Les Wingrove, though, who's reported as saying, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a penalty like that called in a game of that significance." I guess Les didn't see the semifinal Minto Cup match. To me, that was far more heartbreaking. The Salmonbellies had only one chance to win the semifinal against Six Nations. The Adanacs, on the other hand, had a best-of-seven series. Still, I think there needs to be a bit of an overhaul in lacrosse reffing.
Labels: 2007 Mann Cup, Coquitlam Adanacs, lacrosse, Minto Cup 2007
Peterborough Lakers 2007 Mann Cup Champions
I suppose I'm a little late in posting this, but I do have a good excuse: I'm in Montreal, and this is my first chance to check out the results and post.
The
Lakers won yesterday 12-8. While I can't comment on the game itself, unfortunately, I can certainly offer my interpretation. Were the Adanacs desperate or what? They had a whopping 42 minutes in penalties (compared to only six minutes for the Lakers). So either the reffing was completely one-sided (which is always a possibility, I suppose) or they lost total control. I'm going with the latter.
I had a hunch the Lakers would win. Apparently, they're the
first Ontario team to win the Cup in British Columbia since 1995, when Six Nations won.
Labels: 2007 Mann Cup, Canadian Lacrosse Association, Coquitlam Adanacs, Peterborough Lakers
Adanacs still in the running for the 2007 Mann Cup
I can't believe they're still in the series, but they are. Yes, the Coquitlam Adanacs managed to eke out a win over the Peterborough Lakers tonight at Coquitlam Centre. Final Score: 11-10. Check out
Pointstreak for more details.
Game 6 in the seven-game series is Friday night. The Lakers currently lead the Adanacs three games to two.
Labels: 2007 Mann Cup, Coquitlam Adanacs, Peterborough Lakers, Senior Lacrosse Championship
Mann Cup 2007--Game 3
Okay, I confess. I didn't get to the first and second games of the Mann Cup championship. But I went tonight. And at more than a few points during the game, I wished I hadn't. The first two periods were rather humdrum. There wasn't enough back-and-forth action, there were far too many penalties called, and there didn't seem to be many stellar plays. Peterborough Lakers' Scott Evans (
Shawn's big brother) was fun to watch, though. He stands out on the floor because of his speed. His style is not unlike his brother's, but with a bit more control, more finesse (based on the one game I've seen, mind you). I wish there had been more players like him out there tonight. Instead we had to witness more childish antics from Adanacs Peter Veltman and Ray Guze.
The whole game wasn't a wash, though. The third period had a few dramatic moments. The teams had four points apiece at the start but there was noticeably more spring in the Lakers' step after the intermission. Halfway through the period, the Lakers scored, taking the lead for the first time in the game. Shortly after (after a bogus interference call against the Lakers), Coquitlam tied it up again. Less than three minutes later, Coquitlam took another point. With just two minutes left in the game, the Lakers scored, bringing the game to a six-all tie. Then, with only a minute left in the game, they scored again. I can't say for sure, but from where I sat, it looked like the Lakers were just toying with the Adanacs for most of the game, then turned it on midway through the third period.
The most ridiculous moves of the game were the fake slipping action by Laker John Grant, the absolutely embarrassing temper tantrum by the Adanacs' head trainer, Bill Randall (I tried to take a picture, but he was jumping around so much that my shots are all blurry), and the missed high-sticking call against the Lakers by Ray Durante, just seconds after made that interference call based on a figment of his imagination. We were stunned that he missed the high sticking. He was looking right at the players, and a stick banging on a helmet makes a fairly audible thud.
Congrats to goalies Pat O'Toole (Lakers) and Chris Levis (Adanacs) for their MVP awards. Thumbs down to Adanacs' president Don Hedges for telling a Lakers fan to f*** off at the end of the game.
Labels: Coquitlam Adanacs, lacrosse, Mann Cup 2007, Peterborough Lakers
Oh, well
The Adanacs are officially the 2007 WLA champions, having
beaten the Salmonbellies 8-7 tonight in Coquitlam. The Bellies put up a good fight tonight and their fans appreciated it.
While the entire team played well, I was most impressed by
Jordan Hall with two goals and three assists;
Cory Melville, with an assist and some mighty fast running; and
Ian Hawksbee, with an assist and some great defensive moves.
Annoying-player-of-the-game award goes to Adanacs'
Geoff Snider, whom the Adanacs' website ironically refers to as mild-mannered and soft-spoken. Hmmm.
All in all, though, it was a good game. It's too bad the Bellies didn't play like this in the other three games. They'd still be in the running for the Mann Cup. Maybe next year?
Labels: 2007 WLA champions, Coquitlam Adanacs, lacrosse, New Westminster Salmonbellies
Here we go...
The Adanacs beat the Lakers and now advance to the WLA finals. The first game is tomorrow night and, like my lacrosse buddy says, "it's going to be a bloodbath."
Here's what
The Record has to say: "One of the most heated rivalries in the history of the Western Lacrosse Association is on again. The New Westminster Salmonbellies will play the unfriendly host to the Coquitlam Adanacs in Game 1 of the best-of-seven Western Lacrosse Association final at Queen's Park Arena Thursday."
I don't mind a rough game, but the Salmonbellies really don't need to lose any more players to injury.
Labels: Burnaby Lakers, Coquitlam Adanacs, Salmonbellies, WLA finals
Lakers lead Adanacs
The Lakers won again tonight and now lead the Adanacs 2-1 in the playoff series. I followed the game on
Pointstreak. The two teams were tied at one apiece at the end of the first period, but the Lakers jumped ahead in the second, gaining eight points to the Adanacs' five. Burnaby took another two in the third period and gave one to the Adanacs, making the final score 11-7.
Tomorrow at Queen's Park, the Salmonbellies meet the Timbermen for the third time. The 'Bellies lead the series 2-0.
Labels: Burnaby Lakers, Coquitlam Adanacs
Rough times at the Barn
There sure was a lot of tension and testosterone at Queen's Park Arena this evening as the Salmonbellies took on the Coquitlam Adanacs. What a game. The refs just couldn't keep up with a lot of cheap penalties. By the time they realized what was going on, gloves and shirts were off. In total there was 115 minutes' worth of penalties and that's not counting the ones the refs should have called, including the one against the Coquitlam coach for throwing his full water bottle onto the floor in a fit of rage.
The Bellies once again started off slow, tying with the Adanacs at the end of the first period. By the end of the second, they were up by one, and by the end of the game, they had a nice five-point spread, with a final score of 12-7. The Adanacs' goalie played an amazing game, stopping 51 shots in total. Disher didn't have nearly as much to do, with only 41 shots having come his way.
First star of the game went to
Ilja Gaijic of the Bellies, second star went to
Athan Ianucci, also of the Bellies, and third star went to the Adanacs'
Peter Veltman. My own personal Nasty Player of the Night Award goes to Adanacs'
Jesse Phillips for his backcheck of a Bellies player who was dancing in front of the Adanacs net.
On the sentimental side of things, the jersey of former Salmonbelly Geordie Dean (#5) was retired this evening. Dean is the current record holder for the most Mann Cup assists--a record that goes back to 1995.
And, oh yeah. I have to add that tonight the Bellies looked positively smashing in their Retro Jerseys.
Labels: Coquitlam Adanacs, Geordie Dean, retro jersey, Salmonbellies
