The Maple Ridge Burrards opened the WLA playoffs Friday by defeating the New Westminster Salmonbellies for the first time this season, 8-3 in front of 400 spectators at a stuffy Cam Neely Arena.
The Burrards, who won the WLA championship a year ago, finished second in the 2017 regular season, during which they lost all three meetings with the ‘Bellies, including a 15-5 drubbing.
But Ridge controlled the opening game of the first-round playoff series from the first face-off.
The Burrards got two goals from Matthew Dinsdale and led by that margin after the first period, during which they outshot New West 18-9.
The Salmonbellies scored on the first shift of the second and tied the game a short while later.
However, Adam Dickson responded for Ridge before the middle frame ended.
The Burrards opened the third with goals from Zack Porter, on a breakaway, Ben 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.” said Burrards general manager Rey Comeault.
The two team combined for 187 minutes in penalties. Ridge outshot New West 48-40. Frank Scigliano made 37 saves for the win. Dinsdale added two assists to finished with five points.
“Conversely, our offence was deep last might with contributions from several players including some transition-type goals.”
He expects the rest of the series to be much like the first game finished.
“We played Burrard playoff lacrosse last night, something that we built in our run to the Mann Cup last year. We have a culture that we’re really pleased with and look forward to a long tough series.”
Comeault was also pleased with the fan support.
“We can’t thank the Burrard Nation fans enough. The players appreciate the support that we get from our great fans and they showed that last night.”