It was a tough start to the season for the defending league champs.
The Langley Thunder fell behind 5-1 after one period and could not recover, coming up on the wrong end of a 17-7 score on Sunday (May 20) to the host Nanaimo Timbermen in the Western Lacrosse Association season opener for both senior A squads.
Both teams scored four times in the middle period but the third was all Nanaimo as they outscored the Thunder 8-2 over the final 20 minutes.
The power plays for both teams were lethal in the game as Nanaimo was 6-for-8 with the man advantage while Langley was 5-for-7.
Brett Hickey led the Thunder with three goals and two assists while Athan Iannucci had a goal and three helpers. Alex Turner chipped in with two goals and two assists and Joel McCready had a goal and two assists.
The Thunder play their home opener at the Langley Events Centre on May 23 when they host the Burnaby Lakers. Game time is 7:45 p.m.