There’s nothing like a visit from the Saints to help you get pointed in the right direction again.
We’re talking lacrosse here, not a religious epiphany.
The Coquitlam Adanacs rebounded from their first BC Junior A Lacrosse League regular season loss in almost two years to thump the visiting PoCo Saints 15-10 Friday at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex. They then went on the road to Nanaimo and beat the Timberman, 10-6, on Sunday.
The victories keep the Adanacs apace the undefeated New Westminster Salmonbellies atop the BCJALL standings. The Bellies have played one less game, but make that up Tuesday when they host the Langley Thunder at Queen’s Park Arena.
Against the Saints, the Adanacs fired 65 shots at PoCo keeper Karter Williams, but couldn’t stamp their authority on the scoreboard until nearly eight minutes into the second period. That’s when Dennon Armstrong, Thomas Semple and Robert Hofseth connected for three goals in two minutes to tie the game 6-6 and then provide Coquitlam their first two-goal cushion of the night. They never looked back.
Semple led all Adanacs’ scorers with four goals and four assists while Armstrong scored three times and added a pair of helpers.
The Saints went into the game still winless but managed to take a lead three times before their lapse. Sam Degroot counted three goals and two assists and Greg Lunde also had five points, including two goals.
In Nanaimo, the Adanacs also struggled in the early going against the Timberman.
Adam Golia opened the scoring less than two minutes into the game to give the hosts a 1-0 lead. Two goals by Angelo Pontellini just over a minute apart gave Coquitlam a 2-1 advantage.
Then it was Nanaimo’s turn to strike quickly as Jake Mickelson and Tyson Black found the net less than a minute apart to reestablish their one-goal lead.
With just over five minutes left in the first period, Pontellini and Junior B call-up Max Van Strien scored 19 seconds apart to put the Adanacs back in front, 4-3. Dennon Armstrong gave them a two-goal cushion when he converted a set-up by Ethan Ticehurst with 15 seconds left until intermission.
Nanaimo charged out of the break by scoring two quick goals of their own to tie the game again. But that’s as close as they got as Coquitlam outscored the Timberman 5-1 through the remainder of the second period. Neither side scored in the third period.
Pontellini scored four times for the visitors and added an assist to lead the Adanacs’ attack.
Coquitlam hosts the Burnaby Lakers at 7:30 Wednesday. The Saints will try again for their first win of the season Friday, when Nanaimo visits the PoCo Rec Centre at 8 p.m.
