Overtime was unkind to the Maple Ridge Burrards Thursday night at New Westminster's Queen's Park Arena.

In the Western Lacrosse Association, teams don't have the luxury of earning an overtime point for taking a game into overtime, making the extra session a winner-take-all scenario.

The WLA-leading New Westminster Salmonbellies improved to 3-0 while the Burrards saw their record drop to 0-4 following the 'Bellies' 11-10 OT win.

The teams were tied at eight goals apiece after regulation time. New West outscored Maple Ridge 3-2 during the overtime session.

Kevin Crowley notched the game winner for New West at the 8:59 mark of the 10-minute long overtime period.

Derek Lowe and Aaron Pascas each scored twice for the Burrards. Jarrett Davis scored once and added three assists for the visitors. Randy Daly, Sam Cook, Brandon Bertoia, Aaron Davis, and Dane Michaud had the other goals for Maple Ridge.

"It was our best game of the season," Burrards' head coach Daren Fridge said. "Unfortunately, the home team didn't have to work as hard as us, if you can read between the lines."

With the game tied at eight, the Burrards managed to kill off a holding penalty called against Garrett McIntosh with 1:42 remaining in the game.

They also battled back the entire night, from deficits of 7-4 in the second period, and 8-6 in the final frame.

While the Burrards remain winless and occupy the cellar of the seven-team WLA, Fridge realizes his team has some time to regain its form.

"Our new season has to start June 1," Burrards head coach Daren Fridge said. "I would have preferred a split in our first four games but going 0-for-May, we had some crazy things happen to us. The lacrosse gods put us through some adversity but have created a scenario that will make us stronger towards the end. Unfortunately, at 0-4, we have our work cut out for us in the last 14 games."

Over the next couple of weeks, help will come in the form of last year's leading point-getter Curtis Dickson and third leading scorer Riley Loewen, both of whom are returning from their NCAA field lacrosse teams.

The Burrards will look for their first win of the season this Sunday at Planet Ice, where they will host the Victoria Shamrocks starting at 6:45 p.m.

tlandreville@mrtimes.com