Thunder can't sustain strong start, fall 11-7

Langley Tier 1 Thunder's Alex Labrecque scoops up a loose ball during BC Junior Tier 1 Lacrosse League action at Langley Events Centre on June 9 against the visiting Delta Islanders. Ryan Molag photo

Hopefully, it was a lesson learned.

The Langley Tier 1 Thunder failed to capitalize on a strong opening 20 minutes, one that saw them take a 4-2 lead into the dressing room on Tuesday night at Langley Events Centre. Too many self-inflicted mistakes followed, however, as Langley managed just three goals over the final 40 minutes in an 11-7 loss to the visiting Delta Islanders.

Had the Thunder won, they would have pulled even with Delta for fourth place in the BC Junior Tier 1 Lacrosse League standings. Instead, Langley fell to 6-7 and remains in the sixth and final playoff spot in the 10-team league with five games remaining. Delta improved to 8-5.

“We shot ourselves in the foot tonight, worrying about things that weren’t part of the game, and that cost us,” said Langley coach Connar Abrams.

“Fifty-two shots, but just seven goals, and three of those were in transition.”

The Thunder were ahead 5-4 at the midway point of the contest before the Islanders closed the period with a 4-0 run. The teams traded goals in the third with Delta scoring three of the five.

"This is a young group, so we need to make sure our minds are right, and that starts with the coaches, the leaders on the bench and the older guys making sure nothing gets lost in translation with the younger players," Abrams said.

"The message is simple: we're here to win a game, and that's it."

Despite the defeat, Abrams liked what he saw from the team's transition game, which accounted for three goals. He was especially pleased with the effort in the third period, when injuries reduced the Thunder to eight defenders and several players stepped into larger roles.

Dallas Kilpatrick scored twice to lead Langley, while Cam Smith had a goal and two assists for a team-high three points. Josiah Allen and Logan Claxton each finished with a goal and an assist, while Dreyton Goeson and Ram Tomas added singles. Jensen McGregor made 37 saves on 48 shots.

Christopher Paddon made 45 saves in the Islanders goal while Ryan Roberts (2-2) and Michael Burt (3-1) led the Delta attack.

Following a stretch of five games in eight days, the Thunder now have an opportunity to regroup before returning to action on Sunday (June 14) in Burnaby against the Lakers.

Langley then returns home for its regular-season finale on Tuesday (June 16) against the New Westminster Salmonbellies at Langley Events Centre with a 7:30pm start time.

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