The Langley Thunder outscored a struggling Maple Ridge Burrards team on June 24, beating the Burrards 14-11 in Western Lacrosse Association action at the Langley Events Centre.
While the Thunder won their second straight game, it was a case of another day, another loss for the Burrards, who dropped their fourth straight (the Burrards snapped their skid Sunday at Planet Ice in Maple Ridge by beating the Nanaimo Timbermen).
The Thunder benefited from goals from eight different players including another big performance from Lewis Ratcliff as they won their first game at the Langley Events Centre.
The Thunder jumped out to a 5-0 lead, chasing Burrards goaltender Carson Michaud out, replaced by backup Kevin Hill. Langley added three more in the opening frame to take an 8-3 lead after the first period.
The Burrards clawed back into the game in the second period thanks to a pair of quick goals, and trailed 8-5 before Alex Turner answered with his first of three goals as the forward finished with a season-high seven points for the home side.
The Thunder were outscored 6-4 in the middle frame but still led 12-9 after 40 minutes.
The third period saw both teams score a pair of goals each as Saunders scored both markers for Langley.
Ratcliff led all scorers with eight points (three goals, five assists) while Turner netted seven (three goals, four assists).
Jacob Ruest and Athan Iannucci each had five-point nights while goaltenders Brodie MacDonald and Rocky Bowman both saw playing time guarding the Langley cage.
The Burrards, who trailed the game from its onset, were led offensively by Ben McIntosh, who scored four times and added an assist. Connor Goodwin (who added two assists to his totals), Creighton Reid, and Jarret Davis each scored twice for Maple Ridge. Nick Stone rounded out the list of Burrards’ goal-scorers.
With a 4-5 record, the Thunder now sit in a tie for the fourth and final playoff spot in the WLA.
The Thunder have another tough stretch as they will be away from home for the next four games including three games starting tonight,
Tuesday, June 30, when they play the Burnaby Lakers. Game time at Burnaby’s Bill Copeland Arena is 7:45 p.m.
Langley follows that up with a Friday night matchup in Victoria against the Shamrocks and then travel to Nanaimo the following night to battle the Timbermen.
They’ll finish their road trip in Maple Ridge on July 7 before returning home on July 8 to welcome the Timbermen to the LEC.