By James Nolan

NEW WESTMINSTER — In a tightly contested matchup, the New Westminster Navigators secured a 2-0 victory over the Surrey Cyclones, powered by key goals from Tomasz Wójcik and Grigor Dimitrov, and a standout goaltending performance by Keisha Thompson. The game showcased a strong defensive effort and timely offensive execution, marking an important win for the Navigators as they look to strengthen their playoff positioning.

The contest was marked by relentless action and momentum swings. Early on, the Cyclones pressured well, with Dusan Kovač testing Thompson’s reflexes. But Thompson held firm, registering 20 saves on 35 shots, keeping her team’s momentum alive.

The first breakthrough came late in the game when Tomasz Wójcik capitalized with a snap shot from the slot, breaking the deadlock and igniting the home crowd. Grigor Dimitrov later extended the lead by scoring on a rebound, doubling the advantage and solidifying New Westminster’s grip on the game.

Both goals came against the backdrop of stellar defense and strong puck control, as the Navigators sustained pressure with 42 shots and limited turnovers better than the Cyclones, who committed 40 miscues and couldn’t find the back of the net despite 35 shots.

“We stuck to our game plan and relied on our goalie to keep us in it,” said coach Mark Sullivan. “Keisha was outstanding tonight, especially with the big saves early on. Tomasz and Grigor really came through when it counted.”

Wójcik, the game’s offensive catalyst, fired nine shots and scored the critical first goal. Dimitrov, with six shots and a grit-filled rebound goal, complemented the attack fiercely. Elena Costa also contributed eight shots, helping maintain relentless pressure.

Surrey’s goalie Aisha Bello made 23 saves but couldn’t stem the critical moments where the Navigators found openings. Despite the loss, Cyclones’ Jairo Alvarez led offensively with eight shots, but the Cyclones’ turnover troubles were costly.

Post-game, Wójcik reflected on the win: “It’s always about the team. We fought hard and stayed focused. Getting that first goal made all the difference.”

Key Notes:

• Keisha Thompson earned a shutout with 20 saves and a perfect 100% save percentage.
• Tomasz Wójcik led the attack with 9 shots and scored the game-winning snap shot.
• Grigor Dimitrov added a crucial rebound goal and took 6 shots.
• Navigators held a dominant 42-35 shot advantage.
• Surrey Cyclones committed 40 turnovers compared to New Westminster’s 31, impacting their offensive flow.