by JOHN DHULST
Journal Sports Writer
It only took the Portland Adanacs one period to get a bellyfull [sic] of the way they were being treated Sunbday night at Memorial Coliseum.
And they wound up with the last belly laugh rallying from a 5-1 first-period deficit to dump the New Westminster Salmonbellies, 13-8, in National Lacrosse Association Western Division play.
“Four goals is a little bit to come back from,” admitted Portland Coach Gordie Gimple, whose squad moved into a first-place tie with Vancouver by posting its second straight win—longest streak of the season so far.
The Adanacs tallied five straight goals in the second period to forge a 6-5 lead.
Then, after New Westminster scored the last goal of the second stanza and the first light of the third period, Portland scored six more goals to wrap up the contest.
“I think we ran,” said Gimple, noting one of the differences between the Adanacs’ play in the first period, and their play in the second and third stanzas.
Then, comparing running in lacrosse to skating in hockey, Gimple added, “If a (hockey) team wants to skate, they’ll win.”
Mike Gates tied the score for the final time 1:08 into the third period, then put the Adanacs ahead to stay 3:22 later.
“I shot it hard enough between his legs,” noted Gates of his tying goal which came after he swiped a New Westminster pass and headed down the floor.
“I didn’t think he could move his stick fast enough,” added Mike, noting that New Westminster goalie Les Norman had planted his feet.
“That was a screen shot,” Gates recalled the goal that put Portland ahead for good.
Gates collected three goals and an assist for the winners, John Allen had two goals and an assist, Bob Rozensoff two goals and Kerry Gallagher one goal and three assists.
The Salmonbellies outshot Portland, 36-32, but Adanac goalie Merv Schweitzer blocked 28 shots to just 19 for Norman. Schweitzer was especially tough in the second period, stopping 13 shots and allowing just one goal.
(Oregon Journal, June 3, 1968)