Defensive effort stifles Timbermen

Marcus Khan makes one of his 44 saves during the Langley T1 Thunder's 7-3 win on May 25 at Langley Events Centre. Ryan Molag photo

A dominant defensive effort helped the Langley Junior Tier 1 Thunder return to their winning ways.

With back-to-back losses – and three defeats in their past four games – the Thunder held the visiting Nanaimo Timbermen to three goals, the lowest allowed this season by Langley in 10 games.

Nanaimo entered Sunday’s contest at Langley Events Centre averaging nearly 10 goals per game (9.6). The Thunder improved to 7-3 in the BC Junior Tier 1 Lacrosse League standings while the Timbermen slipped to 5-2-1.

“Our defence was just clicking; lots of talking, lots of energy, and making sure our feet were in the right position,” said Thunder coach Connar Abrams. “And from a goaltending point of view, when you have the two goaltenders we have, you have a lot of confidence playing defence back there and it makes your life a whole lot easier.”

Marcus Khan got the call for Sunday’s matinee game, delivering a 44-save performance and improving his numbers to a 6.24 goals against and an .871 save percentage, which place him fourth and third, respectively, among the league leaders.

“We were able to keep them from the outside; not let them get their plays set up. Letting me see the ball from the outside. They just weren’t getting good looks and opportunities thanks to the defence,” Khan said.

That included limiting Nanaimo’s Keenan Dewit to a single assist. He entered the day sitting second in points with 40 with a league-best 25 assists.

And with the defence shutting down the opposition, Mason Eastgate led the Langley attack with a hat trick and four points. This comes on the heels of his three-goal, eight-point game in the Thunder’s 12-11 loss the previous game.

“He has always been that grinder. He is just a kid who brings it every night. That kid is a leader by example. Every time he touches the floor, he is ready to go,” Abrams said of Eastgate, who also takes the team’s face-offs.

Eastgate said the victory was huge for the team’s morale, considering they were on a mini slide.

“The fellas were down after the last two, so just getting back into the win column was big for us,” he said, adding that the offence – despite scoring just seven goals (they are averaging more than 10 per game) – played a determined and focused game right from the first whistle.

Along with Eastgate’s four-points, Jacob Glass had a pair of goals and three points while Logan Claxton and Dallas Kilpatrick had a goal apiece. Ryan Sheldrake added two assists.

Nanaimo received a goal apiece from Oscar Scott, Connor Hocking and Ollie Keay. Jace Stuart made 54 saves as his team was outshot 61-47.

Next up for the Thunder is a home game at Langley Events Centre on May 27 at 7:30pm against New Westminster. For tickets, click here.

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