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The New Westminster Salmonbellies’ first game this season was at home vs. the Langley Thunder and they started with a win. It was the Thunder’s second outing of the season and their second consecutive loss. Since then, the tables have turned somewhat. Going into Wednesday night’s game, the ‘Bellies have found just one win since they beat the Thunder for a 2-6 record. The Thunder, on the other hand, had improved their 0-3 start to a 5-5 record, one of three teams tied for second in the league.

Game two of these teams’ three game regular season series started off in New West’s favour. With goals from Tyler Crompton and Jesse Fehr, the ‘Bellies put up an early 2-0 lead. It wasn’t until after the thirteen-minute mark that Langley finally got on the scoreboard thanks to Cam Copland. Jordan McBride added a third goal for the ‘Bellies, but Tom Johnson responded for Langley before the teams headed into intermission. The ‘Bellies led the Thunder 3-2, outshooting their hosts 15-10.

If the ‘Bellies had taken the reins to start the game, the Thunder took them over during the second period. Keegan Bal scored first to refresh the two-goal ‘Bellies lead, but Langley hit the gas shortly after. Athan Iannucci kicked off a four goal-scoring streak with Alex Turner following suit to tie the game up. A second goal from Iannucci and a first from Daniel McQuade would give the Thunder a two-goal lead of their own to close out forty minutes. The hometown Thunder outshot the visitors 19-8 during the second.

The Thunder were first to score in the third with junior call-up James Rahe’s fourth goal in as many games so far this season giving Langley a short-lived three-goal lead. Keegan Bal answered on the power play before Jordan McBride made it a one goal game with a little more than nine minutes to play. After getting into trouble with their penalty kill last week vs. the Lakers, the Thunder were anxious to avoid giving up another loss. Alex Turner boosted the Thunder lead to 8-6 at 15:08 to finish the scoring for the night.

Goaltender Brodie MacDonald earned another win for his performance with Langley. He made 35 saves after facing 41 shots. Rookie Alexis Buque started in goal for the ‘Bellies, making 34 saves on 42 shots.

The Salmonbellies are on the road again this Friday when they play the Burnaby Lakers for the second time this season. The last time they met, the Lakers edged the ‘Bellies out by a score of 12-11. The Langley Thunder will enjoy a long break after Wednesday’s game. They will be back in action on Friday, July 4^th when they travel to the Island for a two-game road trip beginning in Victoria.

WLA Three Stars

Alex Turner
Athan Iannucci
Keegan Bal