Calm and steady under pressure, New West’s Alex Buque has been a pillar in the Salmonbellies’ run to the league final.
In the past year he’s experienced his shares of ups and downs, but the Whitby, Ont. native is enjoying the ride.
Buque and his squad hold a 2-1 lead heading into Friday’s Game 4 at the Q Centre in Victoria, on the heels of a powerful 14-4 decision on Tuesday where Buque turned back 52 shots.
No matter the shot count, it's just another day at the office for the affabled and steady netminder.
"That's fun. It's a good time -- you don't think about the shot (total), you just think about playing it. Who gets an opportunity like this? That team over there is a great team, they know how to put it down on the net,” he said following a 70-shot barrage in Game 7 of the semifinals with Maple Ridge, where New West advanced in a tense sudden death overtime.
Ask his teammates, and they glow over how even-keel the 24-year-old has been all year. He's been the team’s ‘Rock,’ behind a cool and happy demeanor.
A year ago, he split the starting duties with 2015 Most Outstanding Goalkeeper Eric Penney, and went into the past National Lacrosse League season with an eye on improving on a 5-3 record with the Colorado Mammoth.
He had already become a 2016 internet sensation thanks to a Youtube clip where the 230-pound netminder flattened Calgary’s Karsen Leung in an open-floor hit that fuelled a loud – at least online – debate.
Unfortunately, the recent Mammoth season didn’t unfold the way everyone hoped, and Buque ended up playing just 174 minutes and posting a 0-3 record. Earlier this month, Colorado dealt his rights to Buffalo, along with Callum Crawford, for former No. 1 draft pick Ryan Benesch.
As a credit to his focus and dedication, none of that distracted him while wearing Salmonbellies’ red, blue and white.
Generously listed at five-foot-10, the netminder is an example of meshed styles between the pipes. When an offensive shooter tries to throw a multitude of stick dekes, looking like a BC Ferry flagperson, Buque doesn’t flinch. Using the angles and some economically snake-like reflexes, he stymies the shooter with a calm kick or arm save.
Other times, he’s flashing Dallas Eliuk-like leg kicks and rolling low to keep the ball at bay.
His maturity between the pipes has also been evident in the locker room, teammate Logan Schuss noted after Game 3 of the WLA final.
“I think I’ve seen the most change in Alexis’ attitude, (because) he’s always been a great goalie,” said Schuss. “This year alone he’s become more of a veteran player in the locker room. He’s been super supportive of everyone, the first guy to say great game, pick you up when you’re down and make sure you’re still pumped up when you are having a good game.”
The face behind the mask doesn’t reveal much emotion during the game. After the final buzzer, however, Buque breaks into a big grin when the moment moves him.
“You know you just got to be there for the shot. I don’t think at all about how I look, it’s just about stopping the ball. As long as I keep it out of the net I’ll do what it takes,” he said.
In the playoffs he's been red-hot, except for a short stretch in Victoria where the Island team tallied eight times in about 10 minutes. After the Shamrocks' 11-5 win last Sunday, some may have wondered if it could be a momentum swing in the provincial capital team's favour. Judging by Tuesday's 14-4 result, that momentum must have missed the boat.
New West coach Steve Goodwin was confident in his team and netminder's ability to wipe the slate clean.
“I had no concerns at all that he was going to bounce back, he’s been doing that for us all year," said Goodwin. "I had no concerns. That’s just the way (Buque) plays. It wasn’t really a bad game, maybe not his strongest game but tonight he came back with a fantastic effort, was outstanding in the first period and kept us in the game and we took it from there."
His .850 save percentage in the post-season leads the league, as he's faced an eye-popping 435 shots over 10 games -- 65 more than Victoria's Aaron Bold.
The tandem of Buque and Tye Belanger, who New West signed in April after the former Laker backstopped the Vancouver Stealth’s successful playoff drive, has proven to be a winning combination. Belanger’s arrival, and the ensuing trade of Penney to Burnaby, created a new dynamic in the ‘Bellies crease. Their support for each other has resonated with the rest of the group.
The position remained a strength, and fed the other areas of the team’s game as things meshed for a long playoff run.
“Buque's a winner, he has that attitude,” noted captain Curtis Hodgson. “I think he's matured a bit as a goalie. I think he’s really comfortable in his style. I think we’ve got a really good working relationships with him and the 'D'. I think Tye Belanger has been fantastic for him, just being a mentor and so supportive.”
Buque's path to the net began early in peewee, and even the hopes of his parents – who like most didn’t want their son to be in the firing zone – couldn’t dissuade him.
“Holy smokes, they tried to, but I liked it,” he recalled. “I liked the pressure of the game, sometimes being the guy making the big saves. I like being that kind of person. Always being the support guy, always the fun part.”
That determination and passion for playing saw him take the crease for two Minto Cup champions, and followed him westward. For a second year in a row, Buque was named to the WLA’s second all-star team, and is playing his best at the hottest time of the season.
Schuss said the Whitby-raised netminder has raised everyone’s game in New West.
“He’s doing a great job of becoming a better overall leader and I think he’s on the rise for greatness,” said Schuss.
In the day and age where lacrosse goalies – and goalies in general – all shop at the Big ‘N Tall stores, Buque can claim only one of those attributes. Stocky but sure-footed, he’s battled the challenges and doubters, the shooters and the competitors to earn his spot on the floor. Winning is a byproduct of that hard work, but he embraces every chance to shut down an opposing shooter like an undersized linebacker putting the brakes to a Heisman Trophy running back.
“I’m just looking for the opportunity to play,” he said. “I know I can play the game, it’s just getting the opportunity to get out there and do my thing. The support of my team helps push me to be better, day in and day out. That’s really good.”
Game 5 in the series will be played Sunday, 6 p.m. at Queen's Park Arena.
