WLA 
Burrards overcome Church's offensive exploits to take Game 1
Langley Thunder's Robert Church fires a shot at the Maple Ridge goal during regular season action back in June. Church scored three times and finished with nine points but his Thunder lost Game 1 of the Western Lacrosse Association semi-final series 12-10 to the Burrards at Maple Ridge's Cam Neely Arena on August 6. Ryan Molag file photo
The Maple Ridge Burrards scored the final three goals as they edged the Langley Thunder to take Game 1 12-10.
The Thunder – who had trailed for all but 5:53 of the opening 40 minutes – managed to pull ahead in the third period, twice holding a pair of one-goal leads before their offence went silent for the final dozen minutes on Tuesday night at Maple Ridge’s Cam Neely Arena.
Game 2 of the best-of-five Western Lacrosse Association semi-final series is set for Thursday (August 8) at Langley Events Centre at 7:30pm.
Maple Ridge got off to a quick start in the opener, scoring three times in the first 6:13 for a 3-0 lead. The Thunder, who were down 5-3 after 20 minutes, managed to cut the deficit to 8-7 after two periods and then scored three of the next four goals for a 10-9 lead with just over a dozen minutes remaining.
Robert Church was in on nine of Langley's 10 goals as he finished with a hat trick and six assists while captain Connor Robinson scored four times and set up a pair of goals. Chase Scanlan also had a six-point game with a goal and five helpers. Clay Scanlan (1-3) and Charles Scanlan rounded out the team’s scoring.
In goal, Caleb Khan stopped 47 of 58 shots.
For Maple Ridge, Marcus Klarich led the way with a hat trick and five points while Garret Winter had a goal and three assists. Ryan Jones (2-2), Dylan McIntosh (2-1) and Trevor Funk (2-0) all scored two twice. Brandon Humphrey finished with 48 saves on 58 shots.
Each team scored three times with the man advantage with Maple Ridge adding a short-handed goal as well.
-30-