I just got back from Game 3 of the semi-finals between New West and Langley, and am struck by how similar the three games have been. For the most part it goes like this: the Bellies start to completely dominate; the Thunder get upset and resort to petty altercations, jersey pulling, and all-out fights; and the Bellies win the game hands-down. You would think that the Thunder would start to realize that the fighting isn't getting them anywhere. They'd be better off trying to take a few more shots on net. Today was particularly pathetic, with the Thunder making only 32 shots to the Bellies' 58. You sure don't win games that way.
I feel sorry for the goalies. They're not doing a bad job at all. Joe Bell made 24 saves and Ray Hodgkinson made 20. It's the rest of the team that's letting the goalies down. In three games, not a single Thunder player made the three stars of the game. Tonight's stars were Dewolf (3rd), McFetridge (2nd), and Dave Morgan (1st).
I'm debating whether or not to go to game 4. It's very likely going to be much of the same. If it's not and Langley happens to take a win, then I'll be able to see the fifth game at Queen's Park.
Here's part of the fight between New West's Ilija Gajic and Langley's Rob Van Beek.
The Salmonbellies handily beat Langley Thunder tonight at Queen's Park Arena, with a final score of 12-5.
The game was close for about the first four minutes of play. Then Langley had a bit of a scoring drought, not getting one in the net until the sixth minute of the third period. Matt Roik (second star of the game) played really well for the first two periods, but started to look a little off in the third. In fact, goal number three actually went into the net off his back. He was also slow to get up a few times, so we thought that maybe he was injured or unwell. He picked it up again later in the period, though, so that was good.
Langley lost a bit of blood tonight--literally. Both Kyle McEwan and Steve Hay ending up bleeding after fights (with Rory Smith and Ilija Gajic, respectively). McEwan was especially deserving of his injuries sustained at the start of the third period. At the end of the second period, he downed Kyle Ross with a retaliatory check to the back of the head (So I was told. I didn't see it myself because I was watching the play taking place about 15 feet away. I heard the thud, though, and Ross was face down for several minutes).
The two other stars of the game were Gajic (first) and Cliff Smith (third). And the doofus-of-the-night award goes to Thunder's Matt Wilson for his post-game harassment of one of the refs. I imagine he'll face some disciplinary action for his abusive conduct.
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.
Tonight the Salmonbellies took on Langley Thunder at Queen's Park. I was surprised at the amount of aggression out there. I didn't see the entire game but still managed to catch some pretty major fights. It looks like there might be quite the rivalry between the two teams this year.
The Bellies' new goalie, Tyler Richards, is really talented. He's big, flexible, and can pass well. You don't always get all three assets in one goalie. Schibald went in net for part of the second period and managed to maintain Richards' pace, which was good. Schibald didn't get to play much last year so at times was a bit nervous in net. But he did play an incredible game last summer against Coquitlam, so I know he's capable of great saves. Former Salmonbelly goalie Joe Bell, was in net tonight for the Thunder. I'm glad he's still around. I quite like Bell. I interviewed him for my article on lacrosse for The Walrus. He's passionate about the sport and especially the Salmonbellies (although that might have changed since they got rid of him), which led to some great quotes for my story.
Others who stood out for me tonight were the ultra-quick Cory Melville and new guy Brandon McNeil from Delta, who's pretty feisty playing off the boards and gathering up loose balls.
Iannucci wasn't there tonight, but his jersey was. I still haven't figured out who was wearing it.
