First practise on the new floors at QPA

Tonight, historic Queen’s Park Arena will open its doors for the first time this season as the Royal City’s beloved Senior Salmonbellies lacrosse team will be playing their home opener. Returning to the wooden floor for the first time since their heart-wrenching, game seven, overtime loss in last September’s Mann Cup series, the team is fresh and ready to start over in their drive for the 25^th championship in club history.

New West will play host to the Langley Thunder beginning at 7:45pm. These two teams last met in round one of the 2009 Western Lacrosse Association play-offs when the ‘Bellies knocked the Thunder out in four straight games.

The 2010 season began for the ‘Bellies on Friday when they took to the road and beat the Lakers 9-3 in Burnaby. Since then, many of the team’s star players have returned from their off-season commitments of playing in the National Lacrosse League and in colleges and universities all over the continent. It is anticipated that the squad will be completely reunited by June 1.

Tonight is New Westminster Minor Lacrosse Appreciation Night. Every minor Salmonbellie who comes to the door in uniform will be admitted for free along with their family. (Langley minors in uniform will also be let in for free.) Tickets, for those without a uniform (or a NW minor) are available at the door. The Barn will open at 7pm and the first 500 fans in the door will receive a ‘Bellies magnet courtesy of ReMax Advantage Realty.

Come out and support the most historic team in lacrosse, your New Westminster Senior Salmonbellies, as they kick off their 121^st season!

Carly Rigby is a New Westminster resident and Salmonbellies social media maven and is the voice behind @salmonbellies on Twitter.

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