Thunder can't sustain strong start, fall to Burrards

by Gary Ahuja

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 30, 2018

The Langley Thunder delivered a strong first period but could not sustain their solid start, falling 16-9 to the Maple Ridge Burrards.

The Thunder hosted Maple Ridge in senior A Western Lacrosse Association action at Langley Events Centre on Wednesday night with the loss evening Langley’s record to 1-1. Maple Ridge improved to 2-1.

Langley was up 3-1 after 20 minutes and struck early in the second for a 4-1 lead. The Burrards battled back to the tie the score at four and the teams were even at 6-6 near the midway point of the middle frame. But Maple Ridge seized control and never let up, ending the period up 10-7 before pulling away in the third.

“We had a good first period and then just ball-watched,” said Langley coach Rod Jensen. “We kind of froze a little bit and they made us pay.”

 “(Maple Ridge is) an athletic group, they run the floor well so they keep their feet moving. It is a pretty solid team.”

The bulk of the Maple Ridge damage came courtesy of Curtis Dickson who had eight goals and 10 points. He also fired 19 shots at the Thunder net.

Langley was led by four points apiece from Tyler Pace (three goals, one assist) and James Rahe (two goals, two assists) while Connor Robinson, Reece Callies and JP Kealey had a goal and two helpers apiece.

Both Rahe and Callies were making their season debuts.

Connar Abrams had the team’s other goal while Cody Teichroeb dished out a pair of assists.

While a loss is never the goal, Jensen was happy to see his team battled all game.

“We didn’t quit. They had a big run there and were executing, but we had guys battling hard,” he said. “Don’t worry about the score, just keep battling.”

With a very young team, Jensen said the coaching staff is still instilling their systems.

“We will have to batten down the hatches, get our systems better and regroup and get ready for Saturday.”

Saturday is the team’s first road game of the season as they head to Coquitlam to face the Adanacs (0-1). at Poirier Sports Complex. Game time is 7 p.m.

-30-

For more information:

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