Bellies are one game away from number 25
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In front of a boisterous 2100 fans, the hometown New Westminster Salmonbellies put on an inspired effort to take game 5 of the 2009 Mann Cup finals 10-8. We continue to witness great game after great game as both teams are pulling out all the stops and most defiantly leaving it all on the floor. For the fans, it’s a shame that we have to wait until Friday night for game 6 but the players will welcome the day off. But when Friday does roll around, it will be standing room only as the Bellies look to wrap up their record 25th Mann Cup title.
The rumors of no Anthony Cosmo finally came true for the Bellie faithful and Pat Campbell was forced into action for the first time this series. Campbell played a great game in net but I’m sure there are a few goals he would love to have back. The game started off slow as both teams picked up the defensive pressure and neither offense looked particularly sharp in the opening minutes. Kevin Ross picked up right were left off in game 4 and got the visitors on the board first just past the four minute mark. But twenty seconds later, New West’s Chris Gill got on the board with another typical in tight goal to tie the game. The game was a little more open now as both teams picked up the offensive attacks and four minutes later, it was the Excelsiors that were rewarded. Mann Cup point’s leader, Shawn Williams let a rip for from dead centre and got Tyler Richards going the other way. Blaine Manning extended the lead to 3-1 with a power play marker on a great feed from Josh Sanderson. For a split second, Brampton was in complete control and had New West on the ropes. Then Jr. A call up Kevin Crowley continued to impress as he was able to coral a rebound off the back boards and fire the ball into the net before Campbell could react. As was the case in game 4, Crowley’s goal kick started the Bellies O as Peter Morgan got his first of the series on a great off ball cut beating Campbell to the far post and tied the game. A very clean period that only saw one infraction ended tied at three and both teams struggling to find the right recipe for success.
When the teams came out for the second Brampton got on the board first with a goal from Williams on an outside shot during an unsettled situation and the Excels had life. But just as Brampton was pushing to extend the lead, 2009 2nd overall NLL draft pick, Ilija Gajic kicked started the Bellies troops from the outside and it steamrolled into the most lopsided period of the series. The Westerners would go onto to score four straight power play goals including two, on a five minute high sticking major to Patrick Merrill. Jordan McBride scored twice while Gajic and Gill both added their second tallies of the night on the run. In a series that has seen anemic extra man units, game 5 saw the visitors go two for three while the home squad went four for four on the night. After a completely dominant period by the Bellies, the second ended 8-4.
As had been the case all game, Brampton got on the board first and again it was Kevin Ross beating Richards in tight on the short side to pull his team within three. But on this night, New West would not go roll over. New West Coach Bob Salt called his team’s transition game out after game three. They responded in game four and in game five it was still in full force. Curtis Manning fired in a transition marker that beat Campbell through the five hole to take the lead to 9-5 with fifteen minutes to play. After a great performance in game four, Colin Doyle was kept in check all night long but was finally able to get some space on the power play as he helped spark a two goal run that gave Brampton some life. But just forty seconds after Aaron Wilson go the Excels back within two goals, Gill was left all alone in front and was able to beat Campbell between the legs to seal the deal. The crowd was sensing the inevitable outcome but as Manning scored from the outside, thoughts of a late game collapse crept into some of their minds. Not on this night though. The clock wound down and as quickly as Manning restored a glimmer of hope he took it away just as quick with an undisciplined cross checking penalty as New West was running out the clock.
The game ended 10-8 in favor of the red, white and blue and visions of Sir Donald Mann’s trophy are now in sight. But it is far from over and this experienced Brampton team will defiantly not go quietly. They aren’t the defending champs for nothing and with a day to rest, they will come out guns blazing Friday night. Mike Hominuk will be available for Coach Troy Cordingly, as he arrived late during the Wednesday’s game and there are rumblings that every substitute teacher, nurse and firefighter are being called right now so that Cosmo, Sandy Chapman and Dan Dawson can fly back west. But as per usual, I, as will the rest of you, will have to wait till game time to see if the visitors will be at full strength.
Game 6 goes Friday night at the usual 7:45 start time and if you can’t make it to the rink, www.theboxrocks.com will have you covered from the first whistle to the last.
Game MVP’s were Chris Gill (3-1) and Shawn Williams (2-3). I had Williams and Jordan McBride (2-3).
The 50/50 was a worthy $1850 and made somebody very happy. But unless they were cheering for Brampton everyone went home with a smile on their face.
The trophy will be in the building Friday night and it’s a given that the place will be packed. Strap on your seatbelts it’s going to be a fantastic finish to an already unbelievable series.
Jenner is a two-time Mann Cup champion with six years of NLL experience. Email him at ted.jenner@nllinsider.com also follow the Coquitlam Jr. A Adanacs and the Intermediate A Adanacs live, as Teddy brings you color commentary with Brad Challoner for the Jr's and play by play with Brody Allen for the Intermediates -- http://www.junioradanacs.com/multimedia.phpRate This Story:
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