The Langley Thunder were winners both on and off the floor on Wednesday night.
With a loss ending the team’s playoff hopes, the Thunder prevailed 13-9 over the Burnaby Lakers to earn the final Western Lacrosse Association post-season berth, finishing the regular season at 8-9-1. Burnaby was 5-12-1.
And while the victory on the floor was important, so was the team’s efforts as they held their annual Tessa Beauchamp Night where they auctioned off specially designed jerseys sponsored by Mike Vanichuk Transport Co. Ltd. and produced by X-Treme Threads with 100 percent of the proceeds benefitting the Foundation.
Beauchamp passed away in 2011 and the team has auctioned off the jerseys every year since 2012. This year’s auction raised $3,775.
“On behalf of the Tessa Beauchamp Foundation, we extend our deepest gratitude for the incredible efforts of the Langley Thunder organization. The unwavering support provided to our Foundation has allowed us to continue carrying forward her spirit and making an impact on the lives of others,” the family said.
Game Recap
Wednesday’s game saw the Lakers leading 3-2 after 20 minutes before the Thunder seized control with a 4-0 run in the opening half of the middle frame with three of the goals coming on the power play.
Burnaby did battle back to tie the score at six before Langley scored twice, including a short-handed marker just before intermission to go up 8-6. The Lakers did get back to within a goal early in the third but the Thunder closed with five of the final seven goals.
It was a huge night for Langley’s special teams as they scored five times with the man advantage and twice short-handed.
Leading the way offensively were Chase Scanlan (3-4) and Connor Robinson (3-2) as each scored a hat trick. Clay Scanlan chipped in with two goals and two helpers while Charles Scanlan finished with three assists. Graydon Bradley (1-1), Nathan Lam (1-1), Nathaniel Kozevnikov, Kyle Brunsch and Temeke7 Gottfriedsen each scored once. Caleb Khan made 40 saves on 49 shots.
Stuart Phillips (3-2) and Jacob Dunbar (3-1) had a hat trick each for Burnaby with Ben McDonald (2-1) and Butch La Roue (1-1) also finding the back of the net. Chayton Hetman made 43 saves as his team was outshot 56-49.
The Thunder now await to see how their playoff opponent will be as they can finish either third or fourth, depending on the outcome of the Victoria Shamrocks/New Westminster Salmonbellies game on Aug. 1.
Should Victoria win, Langley finishes third and will face the No. 2 Maple Ridge Burrards (9-9) But if New Westminster (8-9) defeats Victoria (17-0) the Thunder will face the Shamrocks.
Both playoff series will be best-of-five and begin next week.
https://youtu.be/xyrt-g_TS50
Photos courtesy of Ryan Molag Langley Events Centre
