Church's late strike the difference as Thunder edge Lakers

Robert Church (right) and Chase Scanlan (left) each scored three times with Church striking for the winner late in the third period of the Langley Thunder's 9-8 road victory over the Burnaby Lakers on June 28 at the Bill Copeland Arena. Ryan Molag file photo

Robert Church scored the only goal of the third period, snapping a tie game as the Langley Thunder were 9-8 winners on the road Friday night in Burnaby.

The Thunder were up against the Burnaby Lakers at the Bill Copeland Arena in Western Lacrosse Association action with the win improving Langley to 4-6 while Burnaby saw their record dip to 3-5.

It was the second meeting of the season between the two teams, with both contests in Burnaby, but while the Lakers won the first matchup, Langley overcame a 7-5 deficit midway through Friday’s contest as they held the Lakers to a single goal over the final 30:21.

Langley led 3-2 after 20 minutes while both offences found some traction in the middle period, combining for 11 goals to head to the locker room tied at 8. And the score remained locked until just 4:20 was left on the clock and Church buried his third of the night. Both Church (3-1) and Chase Scanlan (3-3) finished with hat tricks while Connor Robinson (1-4), Nathaniel Kozevnikov (1-1) and Clay Scanlan (1-0) adding a goal apiece. Charles Scanlan and Nathan Lam both had a pair of assists.

Aden Walsh picked up the win between the pipes with 39 saves on 47 shots, an .830 save percentage. Alex Buque was in goal for the Lakers, finishing with 51 saves on 60 shots (.850) as Langley outshot Burnaby 60-47.

Ben McDonald led the Lakers offence with four goals.

The Thunder – who have won four of their past six games – are back in action when they host the Coquitlam Adanacs (4-6) on July 3 at Langley Events Centre. Game time is 7:30pm.

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