First-star honours for Walsh as goalie makes 51 saves, scores goal

Langley Thunder goaltender Aden Walsh scored a goal and made 51 saves as his team won 12-8 in Nanaimo on July 7. Walsh was named the game's first star. Ryan Molag file photo

It was quite the performance for Aden Walsh on Sunday night in Nanaimo.

Not only did the Langley Thunder goaltender make 51 saves, but he also scored the 12^th and final goal in his team’s 12-8 win over the Nanaimo Timbermen, a game in which the Timbermen outshot Langley 59-40. For his efforts, he was named the game's first star.

The victory was the team’s fourth in their past six games (4-1-1) as the Senior A lacrosse team has overcome a 1-5 start to the Western Lacrosse Association season to sit just one point back of second place in the seven-team league with a record of 5-6-1.

Langley trailed 3-2 after 20 minutes before seizing control in the second thanks to a 19-save period from Walsh where he only allowed a pair of goals while his team struck for six. From there, the Thunder held a multi-goal lead the rest of the way as they avenged an 8-6 home loss to the Timbermen back on June 26.

While Walsh had the final goal, Chase Scanlan (4-3) and Connor Robinson (2-5) led the way offensively as each player finished with seven points. Clay Scanlan (1-2), Charles Scanlan (2-1) and Nathaniel Kozevnikov (0-3) all had three-point games with Toru Morimatsu (1-1) and Kyle Brunsch (1-1) rounding out the scoring.

The Timbermen’s Taggart Clark (2-1) and Jason Knox (1-2) both had three-point games for their team with Devlin Shanahan finishing with 28 saves.

Langley is back in action on July 11 with a visit to Queen’s Park Arena to face the Salmonbellies. Game time is 7:30pm

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