The New Westminster Salmonbellies evened their first-round playoff series with the Maple Ridge Burrards on Sunday, downing the defending WLA champions 12-6 at Queen’s Park Arena.
The Burrards fell behind 3-0 in the first period, then were outscored 5-4 in the second. Both teams scored twice in the third.
Riley Loewen had two goals and two assists and led the Burrards with nine shots. Matthew Dinsdale and Ben McIntosh had a goal and two assists each. David Joyce and Adam Dickson also scored.
Frank Scigliano made 46 saves for Ridge, which was outshot 58-48.
Mitch Jones had six goals and three assists for New West, which was 4-9 on the powerplay.
The Burrards converted three of five chances with the man advantage.
“New West came out ready to play tonight, as we expected they would,” said Burrards general manager Rey Comeault.
“Mitch Jones deserves credit for a solid game tonight. We’ll make some adjustments and get ready for Game 3 in our building with our fans. It’s going to be a grind of a series and we’re anxious for Tuesday night.”
The Maple Ridge Burrards opened the playoffs at home Friday by defeating the Salmonbellies 8-3.
Dinsdale scored three times in that game.
Two came in the first period, during which the Burrards outshot New West 18-9.
The Salmonbellies scored on the first shift of the second and tied the game a short while later.
However, Dickson responded for Ridge before the middle frame ended.
The Burrards opened the third with goals from Zack Porter, on a breakaway, McIntosh and Dickson, again.
Dinsdale completed his hattrick at 11:59 of the third, the fourth Ridge goal seven minutes.
Porter nothced his second into an empty net with 4:59 remaining.
The final minutes concluded with a rash of penalties, including three fights on one shift, all resulting in game misconducts.
“It really is no mystery that the teams do not like each other and the rivalry is intense.” Comeault said.
The two team combined for 187 minutes in penalties. Ridge outshot New West 48-40.
Scigliano made 37 saves for the win. Dinsdale added two assists to finished with five points.
“We were able to play a solid defence in front of Frankie, limiting quality scoring chances. He’s brilliant when our defence can keep shots to the outside,” Comeault said.
• Game 3 was Tuesday in Maple Ridge, 7:30 p.m. Game 4 is Thursday in New West, same time.