Saints take Game 2 for 2-0 series lead in Finals

Langley Thunder's Josiah Allen gets a step on his opponent during Game 2 of the BC Junior Tier 1 Lacrosse League championship series against the Port Coquitlam Saints at Langley Events Centre on July 23. Ryan Molag photo

The Langley Tier 1 Thunder are on the brink of elimination.

Leading 4-2 early in the second period, the Thunder had a golden opportunity to extend their lead with an extended two-man advantage. But the team failed to capitalize, and the Port Coquitlam Saints responded by scoring four straight goals as part of a 6-1 run.

Langley never recovered, falling 11-5 in Game 2 on Thursday night at Langley Events Centre. The victory gives the Saints a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-five BC Junior Tier 1 Lacrosse League championship series.

“They have a good goalie and we peppered him with shots today but just couldn’t find our spots, but we need to be better,” said Langley coach Connar Abrams. “We are up two and we let in a couple of transition goals, and that’s on the offence, and they know that.”

Dylan Massa (2-1) and Owen Van Ryn led the Thunder with a pair of goals, each while Dreyton Goeson had the other. Jensen McGregor stopped 48 of 59 shots.

For the Saints, Colby Hyland saved 50 of 55 shots with Ayden Chilman leading the offence with a hat trick and five points. He was one of eight different Saints players to find the back of the net.

The Saints will look to capture the championship on July 24 back on their home floor at the Port Coquitlam Community Centre. The Thunder will look to stay alive and force a Game 4 back at Langley Events Centre on July 27.

“Do-or-die, so it’s forget about this one and be ready for Game 3,” Abrams said. “The boys believe in each other and we’ve done a lot of things that the league didn’t think we would be able to do (as a young squad) and we just have to keep going.”

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