Eastgate's 8 points not enough as T1 Thunder rally comes up short

Mason Eastgate had three goals and eight points in his team's most recent game, a 12-11 loss in New Westminster on May 23 in BC Junior Tier 1 Lacrosse League action. Ryan Molag file photo

Despite an eight-point effort from Mason Eastgate, the Langley Junior Tier 1 Thunder’s comeback bid fell short.

Facing the host New Westminster Salmonbellies at Queen’s Park Arena on Friday night, Langley was on the wrong end of a 12-11 final score. The loss leaves the T1 Thunder with a 6-3 mark at the midway point of the 18-game BC Junior Tier 1 Lacrosse League season. New Westminster improved to 6-2 with the win.

Langley trailed from the get-go, allowing a goal 14 seconds in and forced to play catch-up the rest of the way. Trailing 8-2 early in the second period, the T1 Thunder did manage a string of five successive goals in the middle frame to cut the deficit to a single score before another 3-0 run brought it to 11-10 with just over 11 minutes to play.

Eastgate led the offence with three goals and five assists with Jacob Glass also adding a hat trick and one helper and Logan Claxton chipping in two goals and two assists. Brayden Longacre (1-2), Jameson Reed (1-1) and Connyr Welch (1-1) completed the scoring.

Both T1 Thunder goalies saw action in net with Jackson Hastings stopping 20 of 28 shots before giving way to Marcus Khan, who made 26 saves on 30 shots as New Westminster outshot Langley 58-43.

Evan Connelly (with four goals and two assists) and Graham Farstad (hat trick and three assists) led the Salmonbellies with six points apiece.

Langley looks to get back in the win column tomorrow (May 25) at 2:00pm when they host the Nanaimo Timbermen at Langley Events Centre.

For tickets, click here.

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