NLL Insider

The New Westminster Salmonbellies and Coquitlam Adanacs will meet in the Western Lacrosse Association (WLA) final for the third consecutive year. The ‘Bellies swept the Langley Thunder to advance. Coquitlam surprised some by defeating the top-ranked Victoria Shamrocks with a 4-1 series win.

“I expected to win but thought the series might go longer,” added Coquitlam GM Les Wingrove. “We beat a good (Victoria) team.”

“This is a group of guys that really believe in each other,” added Wingrove. “There is a quiet confidence in the room. They are looking forward to this series (against New West).”

“We’re feeling very confident right now,” said New West GM Dan Richardson on the ‘Bellies outlook. “I think Coquitlam is playing some very good ball right now and we’re going to have to be at our very best to stay with them.”

“I think the two teams match up very well; This should be a very, very good series.”

New West quickly disposed of the young Thunder by completely shutting down their offense and winning by game scores of 12-5, 15-7, 14-7 and 10-4.

Coquitlam won a 17-15 shoot-out in their Game 1 playoff opener on a short-handed tally in the last minute. They carried that momentum forward to win their other games 15-12, 12-8 and 13-9. Victoria took Game 3 at home but could not find their winning regular-season ways that had the ‘Rock at the top spot.

Goaltending was a huge factor in the opening round and may be the deciding factor in the final. Both teams future NLL teammate tandems. New West rotates Matt Roik (NLL Washington) and Tyler Richards (NLL Washington) in cage, who boast playoff league-bests in Save Percentage (SV%) and impressive Goals-Against-Averages (GAA) under 6.

“We have to solve their tough defense and goaltending,” added Wingrove.

Coquitlam was led in the opening round by Brandon Atherton (NLL Edmonton) who posted a solid 83% SV% and a GAA of 8.

“The goaltender certainly made the difference in the last three games, and I think Coquitlam kept [Victoria's] top scorers out,” offered league commissioner Ernie Truant, who felt the main difference in the Vic-Coq series was in the Coquitlam zone, starting with young goalie Atherton: Times Colonist.

Regular A’s starter Chris Levis (NLL Edmonton), who won WLA Playoff MVP honors in ‘07, struggled in the opener with a SV% of 73% and GAA of 17, a league-worst.

Offensively, both teams have lots of fire-power and future NLL stars. New West was led in the opener by Ilija Gajic (NCAA eligibility/ possible ‘09 NLL Draft), Cliff Smith (NCAA Denver/ ‘09 NLL Draft Eligible), Scott Stewart (NLL Edmonton), Jordan McBride (NCAA Stony Brook, JR) and Jamie Floris (NLL Edmonton).

The ‘Bellies have depth, too. In their last 10-4 victory, ten different players scored for New West including Jordan Hall (NLL Orlando), Peter Morgan (NLL Washington), defenders Peter McFetridge (NLL Calgary) and Ian Hawksbee (NLL Edmonton).

Coquitlam features young guns Dane Dobbie (NLL Calgary), Cory Conway (NLL Colorado), Peter Veltman (NLL Washinton) and Tim Campeau (NLL Minnesota), plus vets Curt Malawsky (NLL Calgary) and Jason Wulder (NLL Edmonton).

Young stars Daryl Veltman (NLL Boston) and Andy Secore (NLL Edmonton) only played two and three games respectively in the opening round but Les Wingrove noted he expects them both in the line-up for the final.

“We will need to be at our best to compete with them,” concluded Richardson.

“This is probably one of the best Coquitlam teams they’ve had in a while so we’re going to have our work cut out for us,” ‘Bellies coach Bob Salt told the New West News Leader. “Whoever wants to sacrifice is going to win.”

Schedule

Sat, Aug 15 – Coquitlam at New West
Tue, Aug 18 – New West at Coquitlam
Thu, Aug 20 – Coquitlam at New West
Sat, Aug 22 – New West at Coquitlam
Mon, Aug 24 – Coquitlam at New West*
Wed, Aug 26 – New West at Coquitlam*
Fri, Aug 28 – Coquitlam at New West*

*If necessary
All games start at 7:45pm PST
Tickets are available for purchase at the host rinks

The league is also broadcasting all remaining WLA playoff and Mann Cup games live online for $9.95CDN per game. Click here for PPV information.

Continue to discuss the WLA playoffs on the NLL Forums. Who will win in 2009 and represent the West at this year’s Mann Cup championships? New West won the league in ‘08 and Coquitlam took the WLA title in ‘07.

Links Back:

• First-round Game Recaps

• Shamrocks look to next year

• ‘Bellies send Thunder home

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