Next stop Nanaimo as Thunder season winds down

by Gary Ahuja

Langley Thunder's Aidan Milburn defends against Nanaimo's Tyson Roe during WLA action at Langley Events Centre on June 8. The teams conclude their season series tonight at Nanaimo's Frank Crane Arena. Garrett James Langley Events Centre photo

The Langley Thunder hope a change in venue can earn them their first victory over the Nanaimo Timbermen this season.

The two Senior A rivals have played twice already, both time at Langley Events Centre, with the Nanaimo visitors winning 15-10 on June 8 and 12-11 in overtime on June 26.

Now the Thunder hope to return the favour and send the Timbermen fans home unhappy as the two teams square off on Saturday night at Nanaimo’s Frank Crane Arena. Game time is 7 p.m.

While Langley (4-11) is playing for pride, the Timbermen (9-6) are in the thick of a heated five-team playoff race for the four available spots in the Western Lacrosse Association post-season.

Entering play today, Victoria and Burnaby sit atop the standings with 20 points apiece while Maple Ridge, Nanaimo and New Westminster each have 18 points. Victoria, Maple Ridge and Nanaimo all have three games to play while Burnaby and New Westminster have just two games remaining apiece.

Langley has played better of late, with two wins in their last three games. And even in the defeat on July 12 in Burnaby against the Lakers, the score was tied in the third period before Burnaby struck for three goals in 97 seconds for the final margin of victory.

Dylan Kinnear had a five-point night in the defeat and he leads the team with 19 goals on the season while sitting second in points with 28, just one back of rookie Brad McCulley. Coady Adamson, an in-season acquisition, has taken advantage of a bigger role with six goal and 23 points in nine games since joining Langley.

Following tonight’s game, the Thunder visit Maple Ridge to play the Burrards on Tuesday, July 23 before their finale at Langley Events Centre on Wednesday, July 24.

The Thunder are auctioning off special game-worn jerseys with proceeds benefiting the Tessa Beauchamp Foundation.