___________________________________________ HRMY FREE PRESS, Mann Cup Special, SEPTEMBER 7,1988, PAGE A7 MANNCP CAMPI NSHIP Coquitlam Adan'acs'reach final for first tie In - their 24-year history, Coquitlam Adanacs bad reached the western Canada final 10 tinies. Until this year, Coquitlam had lost ail 10 of those finals. And the trip out east looked doubtful again in 1988 when, witb Coquitiani Ieading 3-1 against the New Westminster Salmonbellies, New West rallied to tie the senies at 3-3. The seventh gaine was held in New West, but Coquitlain won the gaine 9-6. "That fourth gaine of a series is the hardest te win," says Coquitlaxn coach Frank Nielsen who, with the exception of 1985 and 1986, played 12 years of senior lacrosse with Coquitlani. i have been knocked down twice, so I know bow it feels," says Nielsen, 34, who was with New West when they lost the Mann Cup te Brooklin in 1986 after leading the series three gaines to none at one stage. Nielsen also played with, Coquitlam in 1980 wben they led the best-of-seven western final 3-0 against New West only to have New West win the next four gaines. But Nielsen now turn s bis thoughts te the present, and the FRANK NIELSEN upcoming contest against Brook- lin Redrnen. "They (Brooklin) are 'a well-coached teani. They're big and tbey're fast. "iUs, we are a sinaîl but fast team.. We bave no figbters but they are a good buncb of guys wbo like te play lacrosse." Nielsen says the series, which he predicts will be fast and should.go at least six or even seven gaines ("witb us winning of course"'), will be good for lacrosse. He expects Redmen will be paying close attention te, playoff MVP Jin Veltinan but be adds that in tbe final game against New West, Coquitlani had nine different goalscorers with, Velt- man held scoreless. H-e la also bappy witb bis goaltending combination of Bill Thomas and Rick Mang. Thomas, accordinz te Nielsen. is a veteran goaltender who bas been, with, Coquitiani for four Lacrosse is just as popular as basebaîl or soccer in western Canada according to Coquitlain Adanacs' niost valuable player in the playoffs, Jim Veltinan. Yeltinan, who played five years of junior lacrosse with Braimpton," first tbought about playing lacrosse in western Canada during a phone call with a fellow Brampton junior, Coquitiam. goalie Rick Mang. I then called the president, Dr. edgs and we talked. I had a caneto play on a Mann Cup contende r 50 I took it," says Veltinan wbo bas notbing but praise for the Coquitlani organiz- ation. "Tbey (Coquitlarn) treated me really good and we usually had 500 to 700 fans out a gaine," says Veltinan who, in 12 playoff gaines, had 44 points. He says the Coquitlain arena whicb holds about 2,600 people was usually filled duning tbe playoffs. As a junior, Veltinan played years. "The fans out here are goirig te see a fast, exciting gaine. We are here to play. The Salmonbellies, in the past, have muscled their way te a chanpionship while we are going.to run our way to one." niany gaines at Iroquois Park, bost arena for this year's Mann Cup, and he was able to pass along some differences in the two arenas. He says Coquitlam ia a fast running teain with a good transition froin offence to defence. I ~ &L JMVELTMAN JIM MEREDITH played for Huntsville during the regular season but was picked up by the Redmen for playoffs and will be a key player in the Mann Cup series. Above, he is shown with moet valuable player lie won in last year's Mann Cup championship for Redmen. STIHL064WSI Check out the Big Orange Machines. Try the Ieading chain saws, for yourself and see why Sti hl is Number One Worldwide. STIL 04 HSQVRI 1 X Dry Powerhead Weight Dispacement 16 Ibs 81c DURHAM EQUIPMENT RENTALS 1230 DUNDAS ST.E. WHITBY (Spsêdy Auto Plaza) 668-0880 5ETIHL® The Woldds LaigetSitfing Chain Saw Veltman no stranger 1 À