Bellies/Rocks Semi-Finals Knotted After Two Games

by Gary McLaughlin

Bellies/Shamrocks Split First Two Semi-Final Games

Your New West Junior Bellies have split the first two games in the best of 7 BCJALL Sem-Finals. Last Saturday, the Bellies went into the Q Center in Victoria and took home a heart thumping, double overtime win over the host team. Will Malcom lit the red light with only 2 minutes to go in the 2ndsudden victory, overtime period. The Bellies outshot the hosts 52 – 45 on the night with Victoria goaltender Cameron Dunkerley making 43 saves to keep his team close. NW’s Kyle Hebert was no slouch either playing a solid game with 37 saves on the night. It was a slightly different story upon the next game of the weekend doubleheader which was played at Queens Park Arena on the Sunday.

The Shamrocks raced to a quick 4-0 lead in the first period in only 5 minutes. New West struck back with 2 goals of their own but the Shamrocks kept up their scoring spree and closed the 1stperiod with a seemingly unbeatable 7-2 lead. However, the Jr. Bellies fought back gamely in the 2ndand, led by 2 goals fromTre Leclaire and singles from Ty Yanko and Gabe Procyk, coupled with the shutout goaltending of Kyle Hebert, closed the game to 7-6. However, the Shamrocks outscored the hometown boys 3-1 to take the 2ndgame 10-7.

Series tied 2-2.

The next games in the series will again be a weekend home and home affair with Game 3 in Victoria’s Q Center, Saturday July 20th at 4:00and Game 4 returning to QPA on Sunday July 21stat 4:00 pm.

Games 5 and 6/7 (if necessary) dates and times are still to be announced. Check the website and the league site for updates.

For game pictures of both these tilts, go to 'Fan Zone', 'Pictures' on this site.