Thunder offence starts hot, fizzles late

Langley Thunder's Doug Porter rushes the ball up the floor during his team's Western Lacrosse Association game against the Nanaimo Timbermen at Langley Events Centre on July 8. Ryan Molag photo

A hot start quickly fizzled as the Langley Thunder dropped another decision.

Averaging just under seven goals per game entering the night, the Thunder erupted for four first-period goals to build a 4-0 lead. But after adding just two goals in the second period, Langley was held scoreless over the final 27:45 in a 10-7 loss to the visiting Nanaimo Timbermen.

The teams were playing Western Lacrosse Association action at Langley Events Centre on Wednesday (July 8). The loss dropped the Thunder to 2-10, while Nanaimo improved to 6-6.

Connor Watson (2-1) and Gordie Phillips each scored twice for Langley, while Nathaniel Kozevnikov had a goal and an assist. Max Semple also finished with a goal and an assist, and Alex Lemieux added the other Thunder marker.

Keegan Okino made 37 saves on 47 shots for Langley.

Andrew Bowman recorded a hat trick for Nanaimo, while Matt Abbott added a pair of goals. Colby Bowman stopped 47 of 54 shots for an .870 save percentage.

Langley returns to action on Friday (July 10) when they visit Victoria to face the Victoria Shamrocks before returning home to Langley Events Centre on July 15 (7:30 p.m.) to take on the Burnaby Lakers.

Thunder trades

Langley traded away the 2026 playing rights of both captain Connor Robinson and goaltender Frank Scigliano to the Coquitlam Adanacs and Victoria Shamrocks, respectively. In return the Thunder receive first-round draft picks in 2027 and 2030. Langley also sends their fourth-round pick in next year’s draft to the Adanacs.

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