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After finishing second in the Western Lacrosse Association (WLA) each of the previous two years, the Salmonbellies are finally headed to the big dance.

“Our goal is to win the Mann Cup,” added WLA Playoff MVP Ilija Gajic, after New Westminster captured the West title with a 4-0 series sweep of Coquitlam last Monday. “Winning this doesn’t mean anything.”

Winning the next best of seven series won’t be an easy task, however.

Capturing the Mann Cup as a road team is a difficult task in itself. Last season, Peterborough was the first team to accomplish the feat since 1995.

And whoever comes out of the East’s Game 7 tomorrow will be stacked. Peterborough has the likes of John Grant Jr., Scott Evans, Tracy Kelusky, Scott Self and Pat O’Toole while Brampton rosters guys like Dan Dawson, Colin Doyle, Blaine Manning, Brodie Merrill and Anthony Cosmo.

So as good as New West has been all year, 25-1 overall and a perfect 8-0 this post-season, the ‘Bellies will likely enter the Mann Cup championships as underdogs.

“We’re going to face a confident bunch, very experienced, and a team that will be pretty eager to win it on their own turf. But this is what it’s all about,” New Westminster goaltender Matt Roik told the city’s local newspaper.

“I don’t think players back East have a lot of knowledge or respect for this team,” added Roik. “But I want to face the best team, and this is the team that can answer the bell.”

New West doesn’t have the National Lacrosse League (NLL) All-Star names that fill the rosters of Peterborough and Brampton, but they do have some of the world’s best young talent that will be house-hold names soon enough. The question is whether they can make their mark on the senior scene now.

In goal, Roik – who has been to the Mann Cup championships previously - split playoff duties with WLA co-Rookie of the Year Tyler Richards, a ‘tender who’s impressed all season. Richards posted a league-best 5.25 GA and .88 SV% during the playoffs.

In front of them are starters Kyle Ross and Peter McFetridge, two NLL rookies last season who further highlight the ‘Bellies youth.

Up-front, four college ballers have led New West in playoff scoring. NCAA D1 Denver teammates Ilija Gajic and Cliff Smith respectively had 34 and 30 playoff points in the eight playoff games, while Jordan McBride and Jamie Floris each finished with 21 points.

Floris will likely be a first-round NLL Entry Draft selection this year, while the other three forwards will no doubt go early in future drafts.

“Our young guys have really helped carry our club forward the last couple of years at both ends of the floor,” added New West head coach Bob Salt. “They have played hard and unselfish led by our veterans. They really pride themselves on being an old-school team.”

Captain Nenad Gajic (NLL Colorado), assistant captain Chris Gill (NLL Colorado), Peter Morgan (NLL Portland) and Jordan Hall (NLL New York) also highlight the team’s roster that has obviously gelled.

“Everyone pushes the next guy while still building a strong team atmosphere. Their mindset is simple: play hard and enjoy the opportunity we have been given,” added Salt.

What now lies before the ‘Bellies is an opportunity to continue their dominant play back East and become the first WLA team to win in Ontario since their New Westminster franchise captured the Mann Cup over 20 years ago in 1986.

No one outside the ‘Bellies locker-room may be giving the West a shot this year but they won’t mind, and look to win back East in a circuit that has been stacked from the out-set.

“Our plans are to play hard and have fun. Worrying about where or who we are playing won’t help us,” says Salt. “There really isn’t a lot of pressure on a team that no one expects to win.”

The New Westminster Salmonbellies are chasing after their 25th Mann Cup this season. The defeated the Coquitlam Adanacs in the WLA finals, after sweeping the Victoria Shamrocks 4-0 in the semis.

The Senior ‘A’ championship series will be held in the city of whoever wins Thursday’s Game 7 between the Peterborough Lakers and Brampton Excelsiors.

The schedule for the best of seven Mann Cup championships is as follows:

Friday, Sept.5
Saturday, Sept.6
Monday, Sept. 8
Tuesday, Sept. 9
*Wednesday, Sept. 10
*Friday, Sept. 12
*Saturday, Sept. 13
*If necessary

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