Offensive woes continue for Thunder

Bailey Vanichuk scored twice but the Langley Thunder fell 11-4 to the Coquitlam Adanacs on June 1 at Langley Events Centre in BC Junior A Lacrosse League action. Gary Ahuja LEC photo

One game after breaking out of an offensive slumber with a season-high dozen goals, the Langley Thunder failed to capitalize on that momentum, falling 11-4 to the Coquitlam Adanacs.

The Thunder were looking to win consecutive games for the first time this BC Junior A Lacrosse League season, but instead saw their record dip to 2-8 as they near the midway point of the 21-game season.

Langley was a 12-10 winner on Tuesday night in New Westminster against the Salmonbellies but could not build on that success as they returned home to Langley Events Centre on Thursday against the first place Adanacs (8-2). This marked the fifth time in the past six games that the Thunder have scored five or fewer goals. And while in some cases it may just be running into a hot goaltender, the problem on Thursday was the fact Langley was not even getting shots on goal.

With the coaching staff setting a target of 20 shots on goal per period, the Thunder were well off that mark, registering just five shots on goal in the opening 20 minutes and 17 through two periods. They managed just 29 for the game while Coquitlam finished with 57.

Brayden Wandler made 31 saves on 40 shots through two periods for Langley with Deklan Morrison making 15 saves on 17 shots in the third. Bailey Vanichuk led the offence with a pair of goals and Stuart Phillips scored once and set up two others. Ben Gagnon had the other Thunder goal.

Adanacs goalie Thomas Ungaro made 25 saves on 29 shots for his team with Jack Charboneau (3+1) and Jaxon Dillon (2+2) providing all the offence the team needed.

Versus the Salmonbellies, Phillips led the way with a five-goal, nine-point performance while Vanichuk (4+2) and Declan Fitzpatrick (0+6) each had six-point efforts.  Phillips – who returned from university to join the Thunder two games ago – has registered points on 16 of Langley’s last 20 goals.

Braiden Struss, with a pair, and Gagnon, had Langley’s other goals vs. the ‘Bellies, while Wandler stopped 38 of 48 shots.

Langley is next in action on June 7 with a visit to Burnaby’s Bill Copeland Sports Centre to face the Lakers.

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