'Bellies put another nail in Thunder's post-season aspirations

Lacrosse is a game of runs and the New Westminster Salmonbellies just had too many of them for the Langley Thunder to overcome. And while not mathematically eliminated, the Thunder’s post-season aspirations will need a miracle if they hope to play beyond this month.

Looking to build on a huge 11-8 win over the Western Lacrosse Association’s second-place team the night before, the Thunder faced the No. 1 Salmonbellies on Thursday night at New Westminster’s Queen’s Park Arena.

And the Thunder had a great start, leading 5-3 a dozen minutes in before the ‘Bellies scored three straight to close the period and another 4-0 run to start the second. Langley had no answer, never able to get within three goals the rest of the way.

The result was a 15-8 loss which dropped Langley to 5-9-1 on the season and while they are just two points back of the fourth and final playoff spot, they have to overtake both the fourth-place Nanaimo Timbermen and the fifth-place Burnaby Lakers, who have 13 and 11 points, respectively. They also hold multiple games in hand, including a pair of head-to-head games, meaning points will be distributed.

The Thunder, on the other hand, have three games remaining, July 18 at home against Victoria before a home-and-home with Burnaby to close their season.

In Thursday’s loss, JP Kealey registered a hat trick for the second straight game while James Rahe had a goal and three assists, which was also his second consecutive four-point outing. Connor Robinson, Aidan Milburn, Tyler Pace and Brandon Clelland had a goal apiece.

New West was led by four goals and nine points from Logan Schuss and hat tricks from Mitch Jones and Jordan McBride. Jones also had five assists while McBride had a pair of helpers.

Langley was outshot 47-35 in the game.

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For more information:

Gary Ahuja, Langley Events Centre, 604.613.5242 (cell), 604.455.8830 (office) or email.