Phillips' sock trick leads Thunder to Game 1 victory

Stuart Phillips celebrates a goal against the Burnaby Lakers earlier this season. Phillips scored six times on Saturday in Nanaimo as the Thunder opened the best-of-five BC Junior A Lacrosse League semi-final series with a 14-13 victory. Ryan Molag Langley Events Centre file photo

A dominant second period helped the Langley Thunder take game one of their BC Junior A Lacrosse League semi-final series against the Nanaimo Timbermen.

The Thunder were down 6-2 five minutes into the middle frame on Saturday afternoon at Nanaimo's Frank Crane Arena before exploding for 11 straight goals and a 13-6 lead. The Timbermen would add a goal just before the second period intermission and after the teams traded goals to open the third, Nanaimo rattled off five consecutive goals, making it a one-score game with 5:26 to play.

But Langley would hold for the 14-13 victory and a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five semi-final series. Game two is set for this afternoon (July 17, 4:00pm) at Langley Events Centre while game three is back in Nanaimo on July 23 (4:00pm).

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The Thunder were led by the duo of Stuart Phillips (six goals, two assists) and Kyle Brunsch (four goals, one assist) as they combined for 10 goals and 13 points.

Cody Malawsky and Drew Kask both had a goal and two helpers while Kaidin Sheehan-Davies and Ben Gagnon chipped in a goal apiece.

Brayden Wandler made 34 saves on 47 shots for the Thunder.

Ryan Sheridan (five goals, one assist) and Andrew Bowman (three goals, one assist) led the way for the Timbermen.

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