Penalties Key as Junior Thunder Ties Delta

The Langley Thunder grabbed the lead on power plays and then gave their opponents fresh life on power plays slipping to an 8-8 overtime tie Saturday night in Delta.

Penalties played a significant role in the outcome, even as Langley showed a faster and more versatile offense than in recent games.

Two of the first three Thunder goals were scored on power plays in the first period while Langley kept Delta off the scoreboard until the 16th minute.

The Thunder defense kept Delta’s shooters outside while Langley’s offense showed some sparkle. Their perimeter passing was more confident and they were able to penetrate to the crease for several good shots in a performance well above what was seen in recent games. The attack was more balanced with a total of 11 Thunder players getting scoresheet credit for goals or assists. Unfortunately, some costly penalties undermined the improved offensive effort.

In the second period, Delta used their power play opportunities to score three of their four goals and to seize the momentum in the game. Another power play late in the third period gave the Islanders the opening they needed to tie the game at 7.

Langley’s Brendan Gibson scored first in the OT on a play engineered by Richard Willmott and Greg Mahoney. But a relentless Delta attack finally resulted in the second tying goal and the game ended tied at 8.

Langley’s Ray Hodginkson was outstanding in goal, again facing twice as many shots as his team was able to muster on the opponents. Shots on goal by Delta were 61, by Langley 32. In the ten minute overtime period, Delta outshot Langley 13-3.

The Thunder now prepare for the naming of a new head coach later this week and a weekend trip to Vancouver to meet Nanaimo on Friday, and Victoria on Saturday. They will not be playing at home this week. The next home game at Langley Events Centre is Thursday, June 11 at 7:30 PM, where they will meet the Delta Islanders again.

Scoring for Thunder:

Richard Willmott, 2 goals, 2 assists
Brendan Gibson, 2 goals, 1 assist
Greg Mahoney, 1 goal, 2 assists
Andrew Bromley, 1 goal
Sean Messenger, 1 goal
Matt Gibson, 2 assists
Colton Porter, 1 goal, 1 assist
Scott Davidson, 1 assist
Luke Bailey, 1 assist
Jarrett Zavitz, 1 assist
Ray Hodgkinson (G), 1 assist