Thunder look to finish strong

by Gary Ahuja

They may not be playing for a post-season berth, but the Langley Thunder still have plenty to play for over the final three games of the Western Lacrosse Association season.

For one, the young team will look to end the senior A season on a high note and leave an impression on the coaching staff heading into the off-season.

And for another, they will get the chance to play spoiler, affecting two teams’ playoff aspirations.

The Thunder are 5-9-1 and if they went a perfect 3-0 to cap the season, would finish 8-9-1. And should the Maple Ridge Burrards and Nanaimo Timbermen – both teams are 8-6-1 and hold down the final two playoff spots – lose all three of their games, it would create a three-way tie

With three games remaining in the Western Lacrosse Association season, the Thunder have shown glimpses of potential – they have won once against both the first and third place teams – but ultimately have been done in by a lack of consistency, as they will miss the senior A post-season this summer.

That does not mean Langley has nothing to play for. For one, this is an opportunity for the players to make an impression on the coaching staff ahead of the off-season, and for another, they have the chance to put a crimp in other team’s post-season aspirations.

First up are the Victoria Shamrocks who visit Langley Events Centre on Wednesday (July 18). Game time is 7:30 p.m. At 9-4 on the season, Victoria is jockeying for playoff position, as they could finish anywhere from first, or conceivably, outside of the post-season picture should they go winless in their five remaining games while the Burnaby Lakers would need to go a perfect 4-0.

For Langley, the final three games are a chance to finish the season on a positive note.

Through the first 15 games, the team is 5-9-1, but they are an impressive 4-2-1 at LEC, including 3-0-1 in their past four home contests.

Following the Victoria game, the Thunder finish with a home-and-home series with the Lakers. The teams play at Burnaby’s Bill Copeland Arena on July 20 before wrapping up the WLA season back at LEC on July 25.

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For more information:

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