Dulong delivers in overtime

Langley Thunder goaltender Caleb Khan comes up with one of his 44 saves in a 9-8 overtime win over the New Westminster Salmonbellies on July 9 at Langley Events Centre. Ryan Molag photo

When General Manager Ryan Williams re-acquired Jack Dulong, the scouting report was that the Langley Thunder were getting a versatile defender capable of contributing offensively in transition.

That scouting report was on full display Thursday night in overtime of a late-season BC Junior A Lacrosse League game at Langley Events Centre.

With less than two minutes to play in the extra period against the visiting New Westminster Salmonbellies, Dulong delivered the game’s key play.

Dulong stripped his opponent and won the race to the loose ball.

“I saw one guy in front of me so I just thought if I can get him backed up in front of the goalie, maybe use him as a screen,” he explained. “I saw a guy coming off the bench and I just fired a twister as I was going to the net.”

The goal gave Langley a 9-8 win over the Salmonbellies, a team the Thunder are battling for a playoff berth. With the victory—and a season sweep of New Westminster—the Thunder improved to 9-6-1 (19 points).

Even if Langley fails to earn another point in its final two regular-season games, the Salmonbellies (7-8-1, 15 points) can do no better than match the Thunder's 19 points.

The win snapped a three-game losing streak for the Thunder, who were coming off a 17-3 loss in Coquitlam on July 3 and then an 8-7 defeat in Delta the next night, a game in which they allowed the winning goal with five seconds to play.

“It was a good bounce back, especially coming off those losses,” said Langley captain Greyson Balatti. “We needed to get this win to get us some momentum as we push for the playoffs, so to come out on top, I’m proud of that.”

The Thunder led only once, opening the scoring before New Westminster answered just 55 seconds later. The rest of the game was spent either tied or Langley trailing, including three times when they were down two, including early in the third period.

But goaltender Caleb Khan and Langley's defence held the Salmonbellies scoreless over the final 20:46 of regulation and overtime, setting the stage for Dulong's heroics.

“The biggest thing was to just look forward, you can’t think about what’s at stake, especially when you are down,” Balatti said of the team’s mindset when they were down. “You just have to keep pushing forward.”

Khan finished with 44 saves on 52 shots, including a pair of key stops in overtime.

Offensively, Langley received balanced scoring with nine different players finding the back of the net. Parker Doyle had two assists, while Cam Smith, Josiah Allen, Cody Todd, Jacob Glass and Madden Bakatsis each recorded a goal and an assist. Austin Vanichuk, Noah Buchan and Dulong scored the other goals.

Langley's defence chipped in three of the team’s nine goals.

Evan Connelly powered the New Westminster attack with four goals with Graham Farstad adding a goal and three helpers. Boris Maksimenko stopped 40 of the 49 Langley shots.

Langley wraps up its road schedule Saturday (July 11) with a 2:30 p.m. game in Nanaimo against the Timbermen before closing out the regular season on July 16 when it hosts the Port Coquitlam Saints at Langley Events Centre. Opening faceoff is 7:30 p.m.

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