First place on the line as Thunder visit Coquitlam, Victoria

Preston Lupul (#8) and Reece Callies celebrate a goal during the Langley Thunder's  game against Coquitlam on June 1 at Langley Events Centre. Ryan Molag Langley Events Centre photo

Back-to-back games this weekend will provide the Langley Thunder an opportunity to establish themselves as the team to beat in the Western Lacrosse Association.

The Thunder head on the road to Coquitlam on June 18 against the Adanacs and then the next day in Victoria versus the Shamrocks, the two teams currently ahead of them in the Western Lacrosse Association standings.

Entering the weekend, the Shamrocks lead at 4-1 while the Adanacs sit second with a 4-2 record while the Thunder are two points behind – with a pair of games in hand – at 3-1.

First up for Langley is a rematch against Coquitlam – a game the Adanacs won by a score of 13-10 but went down as a loss for both teams as there were issues with a late player activation and roster issues on both sides.

Frank Scigliano has been sensational for the Thunder, having played the last two games in goal – both victories – and leading the WLA with a 7.54 goals against average and second with an .854 save percentage. The only person ahead of him in that latter category is Coquitlam’s Christian Del Bianco, who has played all six games, posting a .857 save percentage while sitting third with an 8.23 GAA.

The Adanacs have allowed a league-low 8.17 goals against per game while offensively they sit third with 10.7 goals scored per game with John Hofseth leading the team with 14 goals and tied for points with 21 alongside Matt Delmonico.

The game is also a matchup between the WLA’s top power play – Langley has scored on 11 of their 20 chances (55 per cent) – and the Adanacs No. 1 ranked penalty kill as they have allowed just 10 goals on 31 chances (67.7 per cent).

As for individual leaders for the Thunder, Curtis Dickson has six goals and 13 assists for 19 points while Chase Scanlan has a team-best 11 goals. Dane Dobbie has seven goals – six of which have been on the power play – and 15 points and Robert Church has managed eight goals and 13 points.

While the Adanacs are the stingiest defensive team in the WLA, no team has scored more this season than the Shamrocks who enter the contest with 13.6 goals per game. Jesse King has scored or assisted on nearly 58 per cent of the goals and his 39 points lead the league (by 13 points). He also leads in assists (25) and is tied for second with 14 goals, one back of the league lead.

Both games are available to watch at www.playfullscreen.com

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