Shamrocks strike again, defeat Langley for second time

Langley Thunder's James McIntyre gets a step around his Victoria opponent during BC Junior Tier 1 Lacrosse League action at the Fieldhouse at Langley Events Centre on May 17. Ryan Molag photo

Up against the top team in the league, the Langley Thunder came up short, falling 14-9 to the visiting Victoria Shamrocks.

The Shamrocks — who improved to 7-0 in the BC Junior Tier 1 Lacrosse League — visited the Fieldhouse at Langley Events Centre on Sunday afternoon. The Thunder have now dropped back-to-back games — including a 10-4 loss two nights earlier to the New Westminster Salmonbellies at Queen’s Park Arena — and sit at 2-4 through the first third of the 18-game regular season. Two of those four losses have come against Victoria.

Victoria led 5-0 after one period and extended the advantage to 7-0 before the Thunder finally solved Shamrocks goaltender Mathew Denis midway through the second. The visitors carried an 11-3 lead into the third period before Langley responded by winning the final frame 6-3.

“Victoria is a really good team, so for us to put together that kind of third period and stick to our game is something we can build on moving forward,” said Langley coach Connar Abrams.

“It’s about bearing down, taking the bounces as they come and staying focused on our game. We can’t worry about outside factors — officiating or what the other team is doing — we just have to stick to our Langley Thunder style of play.”

Cam Smith led the Langley offence with two goals and five points, while Colten Lifton added a goal and three helpers. Jake Hagel and Dallas Kilpatrick each scored twice, with Owen Van Ryn and Logan Claxton chipping in with a goal apiece.

Both Thunder goaltenders saw action, with Marcus Khan stopping 34 of 44 shots and Jensen McGregor making 16 saves on 20 shots as Victoria outshot Langley 65-43.

Jordan Alexander (3-2) and Landon Lockwood (3-1) each recorded hat tricks for the Shamrocks, while Dane Kinney had a goal and five assists. Denis finished with 34 saves in the Victoria net.

In Langley’s previous game against New Westminster, Claxton led the offence with two goals, while Hagel and Kilpatrick scored once each. Khan stopped 20 of 25 shots, while Hendrix Wenman made 18 saves on 23 shots as the pair split the goaltending duties.

The Thunder return to action on Tuesday (May 19) when they welcome the Coquitlam Adanacs to the Fieldhouse at Langley Events Centre. Game time is 7:30pm.

The Langley Thunder lacrosse organization consists of Senior A, Junior A and Junior Tier 1 teams competing in the Western Lacrosse Association, BC Junior A Lacrosse League and BC Junior Tier 1 Lacrosse League, respectively. All three teams play their home games at Langley Events Centre.

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