The New Westminster Salmonbellies reluctantly passed the Mann Cup mantle to the new kids on the senior A lacrosse block.
The defending three-time Western Lacrosse Association champion Salmonbellies were denied a shot at redemption for their Game 7 loss at home in the 2009 Mann Cup following a 7-5 defeat by the upstart Langley Thunder at the Langley Events Centre on Saturday.
Needing a win in Langley to extended the best-of-seven final series to a seventh game, New Westminster fell behind 4-0 after almost 30 minutes of flawless goaltending by WLA rookie of the year keeper Brodie MacDonald.
The 6-7, 21-year-old goalkeeper from Vernon went on to be named the playoff MVP after his third consecutive first-star outing for the Thunder.
"I play the same whether it's the first game of the season or it's a Mann Cup," said MacDonald, who matched New Westminster goalie Tyler Richards with 36 saves in Saturday's matchup.
But many of MacDonald's stops were of the huge variety.
The seemingly unflappable youngster made a great reaction save, one of 17 in the opening frame, on a quick one-timer from Corbyn Tao late in the period to preserve a 1-0 lead.
MacDonald held the visitors off the scoresheet for more than half an hour, including sharpshooter Jordan McBride on a clear break in the second period.
Junior call-up Brandon Goodwin finally beat the quiet giant with a bouncer from the outside at 12: 09 of the middle period, his first of two goals in a worthy three-point outing in his first-ever senior A series.
Even with a three-goal lead and the pressure mounting, MacDonald stood firm, turning aside 'Bellie captain Nenad Gajic on a solo break to begin the final frame.
"Of course we wanted to host the Mann Cup. But it didn't turn out the way we wanted it to," said Nenad after the game. "We're not the only team that had those aspirations. Give (Langley) credit, they wanted it as much as we did. But they executed better on the floor. They deserved it."
But New Westminster did not go quietly. Second-team all-star lefty Ilija Gajic, playing with a noticeably serious ankle sprain and the heart of a champion, got the 'Bellies to within a single goal with a pair of counters, the second coming off a transition break with defensive stalwart Curtis Manning.
Former Salmonbellie Kerry Susheski put the final punctuation on the Langley upset, scoring into the empty net with no time remaining on the clock to give the Thunder its first-ever B.C. title.
"It was that kind of year," said Salmonbellies president and general manager Dan Richardson. "We had the most man hours lost with injuries, (players) going back back east, worlds, you name it. We didn't have our roster that we had on paper once.
"It affected us, and our ability to put the ball in the net wasn't there."
"It's obviously very disappointing we lost," added Nenad. "We had high expectations from our fans. We don't make injuries and absences an excuse. It's part of the game . and we have to live with it.
"But we had a lot of adversity in the last series. It's unfortunate when guys get hurt - everyone wants to be on the floor - but sometimes injuries hold us back. But I'm extremely proud of the team.
"When I look at our room, I'm happy with the effort they put forth."
The Langley Thunder will now await the outcome of the Ontario Major Series final between 2009 champion Brampton and defending Mann Cup champion Peterborough. Brampton currently leads the series 3-2. Game 6 was played Tuesday (after NOW deadlines).
