Third period penalties prove costly for 'Rocks as 'Bellies win 12-10

The Salmonbellies were looking to keep their streak rolling when they hosted the Victoria Shamrocks on Sunday evening.

After a slow start to the game, the Salmonbellies got on the board first when ConnorRobinson scored on the powerplay. The ‘Bellies continued to pressure the Shamrocks as JohnnyPearson and AdamDickson scored to make it 3-0.

MatthewHamilton was able to get the Shamrocks on the board with 5:06 left in the first period and after both teams exchanged goals after Hamilton’s goal, the first period ended with the ‘Bellies leading 4-2.

The ‘Bellies got into early penalty trouble in the second period and it proved to change momentum. The Shamrocks were able to score on one of the powerplays, followed by 2 even strength goals by ColePickup and EddieSmith to make it 5-4 Shamrocks.

PrestonLupul scored shortly after Smith’s goal to even the game at 5 and with CarterDickson in the penalty box, DrewBelgrave went for goal as he was able to score shorthanded to make it 6-5 ‘Bellies. However, the Shamrocks were able to even the game up again on that powerplay when BradMcCulley beat ErikKratz.

With the game tied, both teams were fighting hard to take the lead and I literally mean, fighting. Salmonbellies’ ColeBevan and PrestonLupul got into it with NateWade and MitchellGurney and needless to say, coaches were getting into it as Shamrocks’ assistant coach, PatPreston got ejected along with Wade and Bevan.

With all that wrapped up, it looks like the Shamrocks’ assistant coach fired up the ‘Rocks as they closed out the period with 2 goals, making it 8-6 Shamrocks.

ColtonBykowsky cut the ‘Rocks lead to one 27 seconds into the third period and JoshBosher followed up with a goal of his own 5 minutes later to make it 8-8.

It looked like the game was going to completely change when BrockThompson-Marshall received a 4-minute penalty for checking from behind. The Shamrocks were able to score shorthanded, but it wasn’t enough insurance as MitchellFlintoff and Robinson each scored on the powerplay to make it 10-9 ‘Bellies.

AdamJay didn’t make it any easier for the Shamrocks to claw back as he received a slashing penalty with under 5 minutes to go and the Salmonbellies made him pay when Dickson scored with 4:16 to go. 

Pearson put the game away when he scored with 3:17 left as the Shamrocks were only able to score one more down the stretch as the ‘Bellies take their win streak to 7, defeating the ‘Rocks 12-10.

THREE STARS OF THE GAME

1. New Westminster - Connor Robinson -2 goals, 4 assists

2. New Westminster - Adam Dickson - 3 goals, 2 assists

3. Victoria - Matthew Hamilton - 3 goals, 1 assist

The Shamrocks will look to be better disciplined when they take on the Port Coquitlam Saints on Saturday, while the Salmonbellies play the Adanacs for the first time this season on Wednesday night - a game you won't want to miss.