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| Last Zero Standing |
| June 1, 2010 |
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I could spend this entire article explaining the intricate facets of the rivalry between New Westminster and Coquitlam, but instead I will quickly revisit the most relevant meeting between these two giants in the BCJALL. On Friday August 14th these two teams took the floor in what would be the final game played of the 2009 Junior ‘A’ league finals. After two periods the score was 6-2 for the A’s and it seemed they would cruise to victory. New West managed to make it a game scoring three in the last period, but Coquitlam held on winning the game by the slim score of 6-5; taking game six, the BCJALL championship title, and more importantly- the trip to the Minto.
After six games played in the 2010 season, both teams would find themselves neck and neck as far as being undefeated in the league. Victoria forced a tie with the ‘Bellies back on May 16th, but New West and the A’s were the only two teams left in the BCJALL with no losses. Nine and a half months after their last meeting on the same glowing green floor of Queens Park Arena, the ‘Bellies would have their opportunity to take a game off the Adanacs and establish themselves as the last undefeated team in the league.
Adanac forward Matthew Dinsdale dives across Bellies tender Brandon Mulligan's crease as New West's defensman Ryan Mackay looks on. |
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Brandon Mulligan makes the save on Coquitlam's Tor Reinholdt as he crashes the crease after his shot. |
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Just seven seconds into the game on June 1st the ‘Bellies would be sent on the power play with a high sticking penalty called against Garrett McIntosh. Although New West didn’t score with the man advantage, they would gain some momentum and just as the teams were back at even strength TJ Cowx would put the ‘Bellies up. Coquitlam definitely wasn’t playing their game in the opening period, registering their first shot eight minutes into the game, and missing offensive opportunities due to simple mistakes such as bad passing.
The one goal they scored in the first was a perfect set up with Matthew Dinsdale circling around the net as he didn’t have a good shot at Brandon Mulligan, and when he came around back of the crease he dished off to Travis Cornwall who was using his speed to streak in on the right side. One short-handed goal from Tyler Digby and two more even strength goals would put the ‘Bellies ahead 4-1 heading into the first intermission, where the #6 jersey of their Governor Walt Weaver was being retired.
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| The 'Bellies managed to hold onto their lead for an important win, on the night where the #6 jersey of their Governor Walt Weaver got retired. |
After four goals against in the first period, Coquitlam netminder Dan Lewis would be relieved by Chris Seidel late in the first and did well in the second period to help bring his team back into the game. Penalties would help put a dint in the ‘Bellies momentum as they got called for six infractions in the second period, compared to just two in the first. Brandon Bertoia and Tor Reinholdt would capitalize on two of those opportunities for the A’s, and three more regular strength goals would tie up the two teams at six goals apiece after Daniel McQuade scored twice for the ‘Bellies on the power play.
Despite being outshot the A’s still managed to come back quick and remind everyone in the building they are no team to be taken lightly even when playing from behind. Playing from a tie after two periods meant it was anyone’s game to take in the final twenty minutes and both sides were taking more penalties than they would have liked. Two separate high-sticking calls would have the teams playing four-on-four and it was Jeff Sproule who would strike first in the final period as he picked up Mark Negrin’s rebound and buried the ball with a quick-stick past Seidel. A crease play penalty would be the result of another ‘Bellie power play goal as Matt Macgrotty converted a great lead pass from team captain Jarrett Toll for the two goal lead over the A’s.
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| Coquitlam's Travis Cornwall tries to add to his one goal and one assist on the night despite Bellie defender Kyle Robinson being draped all over him. |
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Bellies goalie Brandon Mulligan can do nothing after his inital save but watch the rolling ball cross the goal line. |
Just as a power play expired for Coquitlam Bertoia would bring the Adanacs back into it, and the riviting play would continue until the dying seconds. Playing four-on-four in the final minute Dinsdale made the game even more tight as he rifled a shot past Mulligan to get the A’s back within one goal. There was just over thirty seconds left which was enough for New West to wind down the shot clock, but the A’s managed to quickly recover the ball off the shot and Travis Cornwall went streaking up the floor, however the shot on goal was too late and the buzzer sounded.
The intensity didn’t stop there though; while New West was celebrating there were arms waving all over the Coquitlam bench and there looked to be a discrepancy at the last second. Some people saw Adanac coach Curt Malawsky signal a time out that wasn’t called, others saw him motion for a too many men penalty as the offense and defense were changing at the New West bench, which would have resulted in a penalty shot if called. After players from each team pleaded their case to the referees the game would stand as-is, and would end with New West winning 9-8 over Coquitlam.
With the intense win the ‘Bellies are now the team to beat in the BCJALL, and in 23 days they will face the Adanacs again, except this time on Coquitlam’s floor; one to mark on the calendar for sure!
Submitted by Jen Mutas
League Reporter
jenmutas@hotmail.com
Photos supplied by Paul Sparrow
Birds Eye Photography
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