Every game counts for the Langley Thunder, who find themselves in a log jam in the Western Lacrosse Association standings.
The Thunder, 7-8 going into Wednesday’s home game against the Nanaimo Timbermen (the contest got underway after the Langley Advance went to press) didn’t help their cause when they lost 8-7 to the New Westminster at the Langley Events Centre (LEC) on July 15.
The Langley senior A squad’s next home game is next Wednesday, July 29, when they host the Coquitlam Adanacs at the LEC. Game time is 7:45 p.m.
Going into this past Wednesday’s game, the Thunder found themselves in a three-way tie for third place in the WLA with Burnaby and surging Maple Ridge, each with 14 points.
On July 15, the Thunder’s comeback fell one goal short, losing their first home game in three weeks, dropping an 8-7 decision to the New Westminster Salmonbellies at the LEC on Tessa Beauchamp Night.
Pat Saunders led the Thunder with five points while Lewis Ratcliff scored three points as Langley dropped a game below .500 but still hang on to the final playoff spot in the WLA.
The Thunder, who were wearing special limited edition jerseys which were auctioned off during the game in support of the Tessa Beauchamp Foundation got into penalty trouble early, finishing with a total seven minor penalties. Their high-powered offense didn’t get many opportunities until late in the game. Eric Penney was solid in net for the Salmonbellies, stopping 30 shots to pick up his fourth win of the season.
Ratcliff scored the home team’s lone goal of the first period but trailed 3-1 after twenty minutes. Both teams scored a pair of the goals in the second period with Alex Turner and Anthony Malcom finding the back of the net for Langley, who found themselves down 5-3 after two periods. An entertaining third period saw the Thunder, trailing 8-4 midway through the frame, score three goals in the final 2:04 of the game but were unable to tie it up as Ratcliff had a clean look from the outside but his shot was stopped by Penney.
New Westminster snapped a three game losing streak and sit all alone in second place with 16 points. Shane MacDonald, Jordan McBride and Logan Schuss each had three points for the Salmonbellies.
$2,110.00 was raised for the Tessa Beauchamp Foundation from the Thunder jersey auction. A huge thank you to Mike Vanichuk Transport Co. LTD for sponsoring the jerseys and making tonight’s event possible. For more information, visit www.tessabeauchamp.org.
For tickets to Thunder home games, visit http://www.ticketmaster.ca
For details visit www.LangleyThunder.com