Adanacs Take Game 1 Against Salmonbellies

The New Westminster Salmonbellies and Coquitlam Adanacs faced off in game 1 of the semi-finals tonight at the Coquitlam Sports Centre. With the Adanacs the clear favourite in this series, the Salmonbellies certainly were not going to go down easily.

A lot of action came in the first period and it looked like both teams were taking the more gambles than they should so early into the game. The Adanacs got on the board first when MichaelMessenger scored at 3:33. It quickly became a 2-0 lead for the Adanacs when TylerPace scored just over a minute later.

The Salmonbellies did get on the board shortly after as DaneSorensen beat goaltender ChristianDelBianco to make it 2-1.

The ‘Bellies pressured early and often, but as Del Bianco was making the saves, it got the Adanacs adrenaline going and they certainly showed it. Goals from Pace, ChrisCloutier and ColeShafer make it 5-1 Adanacs with about 5 minutes remaining in the first period.

The Salmonbellies weren’t going to let that lead get to them and they proved it when BrandonClelland and CarterDickson scored 32 seconds apart and with just 17 seconds left on the clock, DrewBelgrave made it a one-goal game. Unfortunately, a slight dagger happened with 8 seconds remaining when JordanMagnuson scored to give the Adanacs a 2-goal lead at the end of the first period.

The Adanacs continued to build on their lead in the second period, but it still wasn’t enough to put the ‘Bellies away quite yet. Jean - LucChetner netted 2 goals within 3 minutes to make it 8-4 Adanacs. 

It then became 9-4 Adanacs when Magnuson scored his second of the game, but then the ‘Bellies got that one back when OwenBarker put it in the back of the net to make it 9-5.

At the 8:46 mark, ChallenRogers ended up with a change box infraction, which ends up being a game misconduct and this was surely a huge loss for the Adanacs. Fortunately for them, Cloutier scored shorthanded a minute later, while the ‘Bellies couldn’t capitalize on their chances.

With the Adanacs losing a key player to the change box infraction, I guess it was inevitable for the ‘Bellies as they lost DJSaari to the same call.

The ‘Bellies were able to score 2 more before the period ended, but the Adanacs once again, scored with under a minute remaining in the period, to make it an 11-7 game instead of a three-goal game. 

Of course this period wasn’t going to end without any pushing and shoving, but that could only explain how this period went for the ‘Bellies. The ‘Bellies could not capitalize on any of their 14 shots on goal, while the Adanacs were able to pop in 3, one of them coming on the penalty kill, which the ‘Bellies really need to sort out before their next game.

Tonight was just not their night to pull off the upset, as the Adanacs take game 1 by a score of 14-7.

THREE STARS OF THE GAME

1. Coquitlam – Jean - LucChetner – 4 Goals, 2 Assists

2. Coquitlam – ColeShafer – 1 Goal, 4 Assists

3. Coquitlam – ChristianDelBianco – 7 goals Allowed, 44 Saves

Game 2 will take place at Queen's Park Arena this Saturday at 2:30PM . You won’t want to miss this game as the ‘Bellies will need to come out guns blazing at home and Queen's Park always brings out the best crowd.