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New Westminster (8-0) remains undefeated this season with wins last weekend over Maple Ridge (2-5) and a one goal victory over Nanaimo (1-7-1). They’ll host Coquitlam (6-2) in a rematch of last year’s WLA final match-up, this Thursday in New West.

The Salmonbellies will host a Family BBQ before the Coquitlam game, one of three planned BBQs for the season. They then hit the wooden floor for a 7:45 PM start.

New West and Coquitlam are the two highest scoring teams in the league with 75 and 74 goals-for respectively, but it’s New West’s defense that stands out. They feature a league- best 47 goals-against. Coquitlam has allowed 56.

In goal, rookie Tyler Richards is having a great campaign after being picked up in the third round, No. 17 overall by the Bellies.

“Mature, calm, quick learner, great stick, unflappable, and very coachable, I think he is just scratching the surface,” said Dan Richardson, New Westminster President and GM, on the character of his young starter. Richardson gave credit to his scouting staff.

“My assistant GM Ken Thomas and our three full-time scouts do an outstanding job of scouring the B.C. Junior ‘A’ league and providing our team with an in-depth Draft Book that would rival what some NHL or CFL teams utilize. We have stats, weight, height, preferences, interview notes, coaches’ comments and personal ratings on over 60 graduating players.”

Richardson added they also run through mock drafts. It’s paid off in other new additions, including big defender Peter McFetridge and forward Jordan McBride – who currently is tied for the league in scoring with another rookie, Coquitlam’s Dane Dobbie. Both have 29 points in eight games played.

“Well, what can you say about a rookie who is currently leading the league in scoring, but wow,” said Richardson. “Jordan McBride was known commodity, but I’m not sure other teams knew as much about him as we did, based on our scouts and Ken’s work.”

McBride was the No. 11 overall pick in the last WLA Entry Draft, Dobbie No. 5 overall.

Offensively, New West is also still hopeful of the return of NLL stars Peter Morgan and Craig Conn. Peter Morgan was banged up in Portland’s run to the NLL Championship Game this year and is on the Injured Reserve list. Conn continues to rehab from a blown knee suffered during the first round of last year’s WLA playoffs.

“We are hoping that we get him (Conn) back for the second round of playoffs, and or the Mann Cup if we are so lucky to make it,” said Richardson. “But that depends on how his knee holds up to rehab… It is a very long rehab time. But as you know Craig is a warrior.”

Defensively, New West has one of the league’s best, with youngsters like Ilija Gajic, Peter McFetridge, Kyle Ross, Nenad Gajic and 6′10 Dave Morgan.

“Our defense has been playing outstanding,” added Richardson. “They are big, athletic and very fast, and if you want to cut the middle, you pay the price. Our speed on our back end is very very fast.”

“As we had a lot of late returning players from either the NLL and or college, we had to change our style from the traditional Bellies’ style of playing at both ends to a more NLL style of offence / defence,” added Richardson. “When we get back everyone from injuries and work commitments we will be going back to our traditional style.”

New West will be shooting for the top seed through the WLA playoffs this season after going 15-2-1 during the 2007 regular season, but being swept in the WLA finals by Coquitlam – their opponent this Thursday.

“This year we’re currently on a roll, but we have two tough games this week with Coquitlam and Burnaby on a back to back. What we learned the last two seasons in reaching the finals in both is this is a marathon and not a sprint,” said Richardson. ”We have some unfinished business to take of this year to get this club into the big dance.”

“We’re after our 25th Mann Cup this year, anything short of that will just not do. I don’t care that it is played in the East this year. They won it out here last year, I don’t see why a Western team cant win back there.”

The Bellies are training this season with a performance training centre in Delta that also assists the B.C. Lions professional CFL football team.

“Bottom line we need to stay healthy,” added Richardson.

Shanny has New West as the top ranked team in this week’s version of the CLA Power Rankings.

Get out to the rink and see them in action. Coquitlam is coming into the game after a win last week over Victoria (4-3) and loss to Burnaby (3-4-1), the number three and four teams in the league respectively.

Here is your complete WLA schedule for the week:

Coquitlam at New Westminster - Thu, Jun 19, 7:45 pm
New Westminster at Burnaby - Fri, Jun 20, 7:45 pm
Langley at Victoria - Fri, Jun 20 7:45 pm
Langley at Nanaimo - Sat, Jun 21 7:00 pm
Maple Ridge at Coquitlam - Sat, Jun 21 7:45 pm
Burnaby at Maple Ridge - Sun, Jun 22 6:45 pm

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