A dominant second period fuelled the Langley Thunder to a massive Game 2 victory.
Seven unanswered goals in the middle frame helped the Thunder erase a 5-2 deficit, as they defeated the Maple Ridge Burrards 17-11 on Thursday night at Langley Events Centre.
The win evened the best-of-five Western Lacrosse Association series at a game apiece.
Game 3 of the series goes Saturday night in Maple Ridge before returning to Langley Events Centre again on Monday, Aug. 12.
“We knew what we needed to do,” said Thunder coach Ian Poole about the first intermission message, referencing the fact they outshot Maple Ridge 20-14 but were down 5-2 largely because of a five-minute defensive lapse where the Burrards scored four straight to close the period.
“(And) they answered the bell. The offence came out. We scored 15 goals in two periods. They were moving the ball and working for each other and that is all we asked for," Poole added.
Langley was led offensively by the duo of Chase Scanlan’s four goals and nine points and Robert Church, who had a goal and seven helpers, while Connor Robinson (3-3) and Charles Scanlan (3-2) each had a hat trick.
“We know we have talented shooters on the offensive side, and we knew they were going to drop and that it was just a matter of time,” said Robinson.
“We just had to not be afraid to shoot the ball, even though we weren’t so successful in the first period. We has some luck in the second and the third,” he added.
With so much offensive firepower up front, the Thunder also received timely scoring from their defence as Kordell Primus – with two – Graydon Bradley, Jesse Gillespie, and Evan Pattison all finding the back of the net.
The rest of the offence came from forward Kyle Brunsch, who had a goal and an assist. Caleb Khan made 32 saves on 43 shots.
The Burrards’ Rhys Porteous led the team with four goals while Dylan McIntosh (3-4), Ryan Jones (2-4), and Garret Winter (2-2) providing the rest of the offence.
Brandon Humphrey finished with 42 saves on 57 shots before giving way to Nate Faccin late in the third with Faccin stopping three of four shots.
Chase Scanlan, McIntosh, and Church were named the game’s three stars.