Bellies Clobber A's; Move into 2nd Place in WLA

by Salmonbellies Lacrosse

Bellies earn 3rd consecutive win, and gain momentum for Monday against the Burrards.

It started off looking like it would be a battle of inches, but it ended with the final score miles apart. The Bellies took 12 minutes to earn their first goal, but once they did, the dam broke and they went on to an impressive 17-4 victory.

With just two games left for New West, it was a much needed win. The boys seemed a little tight at the start, but gained confidence as the game progressed. The goals came in bunches; 7 unanswered in Period 1, 6 in a row in the second, and a bouquet of 4 in the third stanza.

Every player contributed. Logan Schuss started the scoring and would end up as the games second star with 4 goals and 3 assists. Junior Bellie call-up, Lukas Nielsen, continued on his tear, earning 3 goals and 1 helper. Tony Malcom, back in red, white and blue, scored 2 early on and added a couple of apples. Charalambides caught fire early and potted 2G 3A. Tyson Gibson did the majority of the right-side damage with 3G 4A. Mike Messenger continued his streak of amazing plays, breaking out countless times and going 22-1 in face-offs. He scored in the 3rd, but had many more opportunities. And Justin Geddie was extremely solid, earning 3rd star by stopping 47 of 51 shots, for a .922 save average.

But the story of the game - AGAIN - was Will Malcom. Malcom entered the game dominating all offensive stats in the league, and was just a tidge away from 100 points. By the end of the night, he'd added 9 assists and 1 goal, putting him at 104 points, 50 goals and 54 assists. At this rate, the WLA stats website will no longer be able to calculate his points-per-game average so it will be officially changed to "infinity."

Despite the big win, the Salmonbellies cannot take their feet off the gas. They play in Maple Ridge Monday evening, facing a Burrards squad that has stung them twice this season. It will be another 4-point game because the Burrards have 3 games left (the other two against Nanaimo) and could reach 20 points. The Bellies will finish their season against the Shamrocks next Thursday and will be looking to put a dent in Victoria's currently perfect record. Two more wins by the Bellies will assure them of second place and home floor advantage in the first round.

The Adanacs remained in 5th place after the loss. Mathematically, they are still alive, but they have just one game left. They need to win their last game, and they need Maple Ridge to lose their remaining 3 games. Coquitlam hosts the Lakers on Saturday evening. Burnaby has 11 points and 3 games left, so they too are still alive.

Picking the next Lotto 6/49 winning numbers would be easier than predicting the final standings in the 2024 Western Lacrosse Association, but the Bellies certainly put themselves in better standing tonight with their 3rd consecutive win. As long as they keep hold of the reins, their fans are in for one heckuva ride.

Join us next Thursday at 7 versus the league-leading Shamrocks. It's Honour House Night, so first responders, CAF members and veterans get in for free (with ID). Everyone else can buy tickets here.

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