A trio of third-period goals in a span of 84 seconds was too much to overcome for the Langley Thunder in Game 2 of the Western Lacrosse Association Finals.
The Thunder had cut the deficit down to 6-5 at that point before the visiting Victoria Shamrocks scored on the power play, at even strength, and then shorthanded, to open a 9-5 advantage in what became a 11-7 victory on Monday night at Langley Events Centre.
The Shamrocks took Game 1 by a 10-8 score on Saturday in Victoria and now lead the best-of-seven series 2-0. The series resumes on Wednesday (August 21) once again at Langley Events Centre with a 6:30pm start time before returning to Victoria’s Q Centre on August 23.
“We know we need to be at our best against this team; they went undefeated for a reason. We have to limit our mistakes,” said Thunder coach Bryan Poole.
“They went on a 3-goal run in the third period and we paid for it.”
Victoria led 3-1 after a period and the deficit could have been even larger as the Shamrocks outshot Langley 24-14. The Thunder battled back to tie it at 3 midway through the third before surrendering back-to-back power-play goals before pulling to within a goal at 5-4 heading to the intermission. The teams again traded goals to start the third before the Shamrocks gained separation with their three-goal run.
Both teams scored three times on the power play with Victoria earning six chances to Langley’s four man-advantage opportunities. The Shamrocks also had one short-handed goal.
Robert Church led Langley with two goals and five points while Connor Robinson (0-3), Clay Scanlan (2-1) and Chase Scanlan (1-2) each finished with three-point games. Nathaniel Kozevnikov (1-1) and Kyle Brunsch had a goal apiece.
Caleb Khan finished with 44 saves as the Thunder were outshot 55-42. Jesse King (2-3), Marshal King (2-2), Mathieu Gautier (2-1) and Trent DiCicco (2-0) each scored twice for Victoria. Chris Origlieri made 35 saves in goal and was the game’s third star with Jesse King and Church earning first and second star honours, respectively.
Photos courtesy of Ryan Molag Langley Events Centre
