Langley Tier 1 Thunder have now dropped back-to-back games, a 14-9 loss to the visiting Victoria Shamrocks on Sunday and a 10-4 loss two nights earlier to the New Westminster Salmonbellies at Queen’s Park Arena. Victoria led 5-0 after one period and extended the advantage to 7-0 before the Thunder finally solved Shamrocks goaltender Mathew Denis midway through the second. The visitors carried an 11-3 lead into the third period before Langley responded by winning the final frame 6-3. “Victoria is a really good team,
so for us to put together that kind of third period and stick to our game is something we can build on moving forward,” said Langley coach Connar Abrams. Cam Smith led the Langley offence with two goals and five points, while Colten Lifton added a goal and three helpers. Jake Hagel and Dallas Kilpatrick each scored twice, with Owen Van Ryn and Logan Claxton chipping in with a goal apiece. Both Thunder goaltenders saw action, with Marcus Khan stopping 34 of 44 shots and
Jensen McGregor making 16 saves on 20 shots as Victoria outshot Langley 65-43. In Langley’s previous game against New Westminster, Claxton led the offence with two goals, while Hagel and Kilpatrick scored once each. Khan stopped 20 of 25 shots, while Hendrix Wenman made 18 saves on 23 shots as the pair split the goaltending duties. The Thunder return to action on Tuesday, May 19, when they welcome the Coquitlam Adanacs to the Fieldhouse at Langley Events Centre. Game time is 7:30pm. JUNIOR A TEAM
VICTORIOUS IN SEASON DEBUT Forty-three saves from Caleb Khan and three points apiece from Mason Eastgate and Cody Todd, helped the Langley Junior A Thunder open the season with a victory. The Thunder travelled to the Ladner Leisure Centre on Saturday night to face the Delta Islanders in the BC Junior A Lacrosse League season opener for both squads. The teams traded goals for the first 41 minutes before Cam Smith — a Junior Tier 1 call-up — gave Langley a two-goal lead with a
power-play marker. Brayden Longacre extended the advantage to three goals before Delta tallied twice to round out the scoring. In addition to Smith and Longacre’s goals, Eastgate and Todd both scored twice with Cole O’Callaghan getting the other goal. Jared Maznik finished with two goals for the Islanders. Delta outshot Langley 49-43. Up next for Langley is a road game at Burnaby’s Bill Copeland Sports Centre on May 20 when they face the Lakers. The first Thunder home game at Langley Events Centre is not
until May 28 at 7:30pm when they host the Coquitlam Adanacs.
Langley Thunder, Victoria Shamrocks, New Westminster Salmonbellies, Junior A Lacrosse, BC Junior A Lacrosse League, Queen’s Park Arena
65-43 shots is wild like… how did they still lose? Sounds like refs or goalie were off.
I swear Victoria always plays like they’re unstoppable. 5-0 and 7-0 after one period?? Langley really choked that part and then “solved” the goalie later.
Wait so “Thunder fall twice” but then it says Junior A Thunder won their season debut so which one is actually losing? Like I get it’s different teams but the headline makes it confusing.
Those saves numbers confuse me. If Victoria outshot them 65-43 then how are both games not like a complete blowout? Also anyone else read “Thunder return Tuesday” and think the same Thunder is playing the next day or something?