Thunder falter in third period, drop opener

Langley Thunder's Jacob Glass had a goal and two assists in his team's season-opening 12-7 loss to the Port Coquitlam Saints at the Fieldhouse at Langley Events Centre on April 28. Ryan Molag photo

Ahead by a goal with 20 minutes to play, the Langley Junior Tier 1 Thunder couldn’t close it out, dropping their season opener.

The Thunder hosted the Port Coquitlam Saints on Tuesday (April 28) at the Fieldhouse at Langley Events Centre, where the visitors scored eight unanswered goals en route to a 12-7 victory.

It marked Port Coquitlam’s second win — coming off a 17-2 result — while Langley was opening its BC Junior Tier 1 Lacrosse League campaign.

Through 40 minutes, the Thunder were right there, leading 3-2 after the first period and 5-4 at the second intermission. But the Saints took over in the third, erupting for eight straight goals to pull away.

“Obviously some growing pains. We are a young team — this was the first junior game for three-quarters of our roster — but they stepped up to the challenge. We just fell short tonight,” said Langley coach Connar Abrams.

“I think it’s that inexperience with a one-goal lead and knowing how to close out a game. We battled hard for those first two periods. Maybe there was some fatigue, but for a lot of these guys it was their first junior game. They’re starting to understand the pace and physicality, and how they need to be better prepared for it.”

Cam Smith led Langley with two goals and four points. Jacob Glass (1-2), Owen Van Ryn (1-1), Dylan Massa (1-1), Jake Hagel (1-1) and Ram Tomas (1-0) also scored, while Logan Claxton and Dallas Kilpatrick each added two assists.

Marcus Khan made 45 saves as the Thunder were outshot 57-45, including a 45-27 edge for Port Coquitlam over the final two periods.

Chase Hemmerling-MacLean (3-2) and Ayden Chilman (3-1) each recorded hat tricks for the Saints, with Matyas Knotek adding a pair. Aaron MacRae stopped 38 shots in the win.

Langley hits the road for the first time this season on Saturday (May 2), travelling to Victoria to face the Shamrocks. The Thunder return home on May 5 against the Ridge Meadows Burrards, with a 7:30 p.m. start at the Fieldhouse at Langley Events Centre.

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