A 17-goal outburst by the Maple Ridge Burrards on Sunday night avenged a Thursday night loss to the New Westminster Salmonbellies.
With a win and a loss on the week, the Burrards retain a share of first place in the Western Lacrosse Association, tied with the Victoria Shamrocks with 5-2 records.
The Salmonbellies managed to cool off the WLA’s hottest team on Thursday night, downing the Burrards 10-8 at Queen’s Park arena. Apparently they were armed with kryptonite, because they held Curtis ‘Superman’ Dickson to a modest two goals and five points – modest for him.
After that tight affair, the two teams exploded for a couple of touchdowns each on Sunday at Planet Ice, in a 17-15 Burrards win.
Burrards president Lance Andre said the difference was the goaltending – both teams wound up pulling their netminders.
Chris Levis came out of the Ridge net after he was perforated for 10 goals in the opening 30 minutes.
While he was pulled, Andre wasn’t throwing Levis under the bus.
“He’s done phenomenal for us. For him to have an off night – that’s allright,” said Andre.
Levis leads the league in playing time, saves (236) and wins (four).
Backup Carson Michaud spelled him for the second half of the game, and got the win.
Salmonbellies goaltender Neil Tyacke let his frustration show. Burrard Joel Delgarno was recieving a breakaway pass that would have left him one-on-one against Tyacke. However, as the pass was coming, the goalie came out of his net and high-sticked Delgarno. The Ridge scorer was left lying on the floor helmetless. David Joyce stood up for his teammate and fought Salmonbelly Kyle Ross.
After the gloves were picked up, Tyacke was assessed a five-minute major penalty, and a minor for holding.
The Burrards scored three on the resulting power play.
The Maple Ridge power play was punishing against New West, going 12-for-21 in the two-game set.
Dickson had six goals and three assists in the second meeting, while team captain Jarrett Davis had two goals and six points, and Riley Loewen scored three.
Superman now has 52 points on the season, including 30 goals, and tops the scoring race, well ahead of the second-place scorer – Davis and his 35 points.
• Their next home game is Sunday, at 6:45 p.m. when they host the hot Burnaby Lakers.