Okuyama hat trick sparks Thunder

Langley Thunder's Koji Okuyama (right) was a force at both ends of the floor on Thursday night, scoring a hat trick while helping the defence keep the Delta Islanders in check in a 10-7 win in BC Junior A Lacrosse League action at Langley Events Centre. Ryan Molag photo

Needing a spark, the Langley Junior A Thunder got it from their transition unit.

The defence and transition game accounted for three goals — with a fourth coming via penalty shot — as the Thunder rallied for an 10-7 win over the Delta Islanders in a BC Junior A Lacrosse League game on Thursday night at Langley Events Centre.

The Islanders led 3-1 with seven minutes remaining in the second period when the Thunder coaching staff requested a measurement of Delta goaltender Greyson Beggs' equipment. The equipment was deemed illegal and Beggs — who had stopped 24 of 25 shots to that point — received a five-minute major and game misconduct. Combined with a holding penalty already being served by Delta, the Thunder were awarded a penalty shot.

Beers tapped Koji Okuyama to take the shot and the defender – who already had one breakaway goal in the game – beat Jett Burns, who entered the game cold after serving as the backup for the opening 33 minutes.

“I knew what I was doing right away,” Okuyama explained. “I practice my breakaways a lot, so I knew as soon as coach said I was taking the shot, what I was going to do.”

Mason Eastgate tied the score ahead of the second intermission but Delta forged ahead 5-3 early in the third. Undaunted, the Thunder pulled ahead for the first time with a 3-0 run on a Zekie Terry goal sandwiched between markers from Parker Doyle.

The Islanders briefly pulled within one on a transition goal from Xavian Washington, but Brayden Longacre restored the two-goal cushion at 8-6 before Okuyama completed his hat trick with a short-handed transition marker. Delta would get one back before Eastgate added his second into the empty net.

Marcus Khan finished with 49 saves as Langley was outshot 56-50.

Levi Crooks led Delta with a goal and four points.

“Honestly, this has been a bit of a tale of our season; when the offence has needed a little bit of help, we can count on the transition game,” said coach Matt Beers.

“Koji gets a lot of the credit – he creates a lot himself, but we had a few guys sprinting to the bench, we had guys make some great plays and passes – and he is an incredible talent, but it is a real team effort in the back end.”

Okuyama was just glad his unit was able to contribute when the team needed it.

“It’s big when we can chip in goals like that,” he said. “Transition goals can really change the momentum in the game, so I am happy we were able to do that.”

Okuyama is now tied for the team lead with 10 goals and owns a .400 shooting percentage, the second-best mark in the BCJALL among players with at least five goals. Only Coquitlam's Jordan Reed (.412) ranks higher.

The win snaps Langley’s two-game losing streak, improving their record to 7-2-1 with Delta dropping to 1-7.

Langley is right back at it on Friday (June 12) with a trip to the Port Coquitlam Community Centre to face the Saints (4-4) at 7:00pm. The team’s next home game at Langley Events Centre is set for June 18 at 7:30pm when the Thunder host the Burnaby Lakers (4-3).

The Langley Thunder lacrosse organization consists of Senior A, Junior A and Junior Tier 1 teams who play in the Western Lacrosse Association, BC Junior A Lacrosse League and BC Junior Tier 1 Lacrosse League respectively. All three teams play their home games at Langley Events Centre.

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