NLL Insider

The New Westminster Salmonbellies captured their second-straight Western Lacrosse Association (WLA) title last week, and will now host the Mann Cup championships at Queen’s Park Arena, September 4-12, 2009. The ‘Bellies await the winner of the Eastern Major Series League (MSL) final between Brampton and Peterborough, a Best-of-7 series headed to a Game 6.

Here is the quick recap of how the ‘Bellies swept through the WLA playoffs for a second year in a row.

Regular Season

At the start of the season, NLL Insider noted that the ‘Bellies were still the team to beat. New West did drop two contests to Victoria, passing off the favorite label onto the Shamrocks, but the ‘Bellies did not feature their full line-up during those losses. WLA playoff MVP Ilija Gajic only played five regular season games ‘in 09, while NLL pros Scott Stewart, Jordan Hall, Peter Morgan and Chris Gill each played eight games or less. The ‘Bellies still finished 13-3-2, and were unbeaten in their last 10 games. New West also had a league-best Goals-Against-Average (GAA) under eight.

Semi-Finals

In the semi-finals, New West drew the young Langley Thunder; In three regular season games, only three goals separated the two clubs. The ‘Bellies simply crushed Langley in the semis, however, winning by games scores of 12-5, 15-7, 14-7 and 10-4. “(New West) are a big and mean defence,” says Thunder WLA Rookie of the Year Garrett Billings.

“Whoever wants to sacrifice is going to win,” adds ‘Bellies’ coach Bob Salt, in a quote highlighted by NLL Insider’s WLA ‘09 Final Preview.

Game 1, WLA Final

Strong start for Salmonbellies in WLA final: New West wins 14-5. After leading just 6-4 over the first two periods, the ‘Bellies finally solved Coquitlam tender Brandon Atherton with four goals in under six minutes to start the third. Overall, the ‘Bellies doubled-up the A’s shot total, 63-31.

Coquitlam starts Chris Levis in Game 2, the only game in the final WLA series that the A’s use one keeper for the full-sixty.

Game 2

Salmonbellies take control of WLA final, up 2-0: New West cruises to a 13-5 win. Through two games, the ‘Bellies have now outscored the A’s a combined 27-10. “It is a surprise,” said A’s coach Andy Ogilvie. “I wasn’t expecting this, especially after we played in the last series. It’s hard to really come up with any answers, so far. I give them credit.”

0-2 hole has A’s searching for momentum: “We’re just getting out worked,” says Coquitlam’s Jason Wulder.

Game 3

Salmonbellies win in OT, on verge of sweeping WLA Adanacs: The ‘Bellies score six OT goals to win 16-13. In the swing game, the A’s jumped out to a 5-1 led only six minutes in, but the ‘Bellies closed the lead to 5-3 after one and tied it at 7-7 after two periods. The two teams traded goals before the ‘Bellies’ Peter Morgan and Jordan McBride tallied to give New West a two-goal lead with four minutes to play. A’s vet Jason Wulder then found twine, twice, to tie the game at 10-10. Wulder’s game-tying goal, his fifth of the night, came with just seven seconds left. In OT, New West scored on 55% of their shots.

Salmonbellies subdue stubborn Adanacs squad: “That was the first time we’ve had some adversity and the boys stepped up,” said Gajic. “We got off to a slow start, but keeping it that close and actually getting back into the game, that’s what we needed.” Gajic led all ‘Bellies with four goals, six points on the night while Cliff Smith and Jordan Hall each had a ‘trick and five points.

Game 4

New West dominates the first two periods and leads 11-3 after forty minutes. The A’s score five in the third period but lose 12-8 with NW fans enjoying the sweep. Through New West’s eight playoff games in ‘09, the Bellies have been led in scoring by Ilija Gajic, Cliff Smith, Jordan McBride and Scott Stewart. Goalies Matt Roik and Tyler Richards both boast GAA’s under seven.

New West’s young star Jordan Hall missed Game 4 of the WLA final as he was with the Major League Lacrosse (MLL) Toronto Nationals who captured the ‘09 MLL Title, defeating the Denver Outlaws on a last-minute goal. Hall and Smith have also kept busy running their own lax camps, Wild West Lacrosse.

Mann Cup

The Mann Cup will start on September 4. For schedule information, click here.

NLL Insider will continue to have you covered leading up to the big Canadian Lacrosse Association (CLA) Senior ‘A’ national championship.

An All-America at Simon Fraser and a decorated Jr. A player for Coquitlam, Kojima began covering lacrosse in 2003 and started working for Inside Lacrosse in 2007. Email him at steve.kojima@nllinsider.com or go to www.laxfuj.com.

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