Road warrior Thunder strike again

Koji Okuyama scored a hat trick -- and has five goals and seven points in his last two games -- in the Langley Thunder's 10-7 win in New Westminster over the Salmonbellies on May 26 at Queen's Park Arena. Ryan Molag file photo

The road warriors did it once again.

Playing their fourth straight contest away from home to open the BC Junior A Lacrosse League season, the Langley Junior A Thunder improved to 4-0, defeating the New Westminster Salmonbellies at Queen's Park Arena on Tuesday night.

The loss was the first of the season for the ‘Bellies, who fell to 2-1.

The score was tied 6-6 with under 13 minutes to play before the Thunder closed the game on a 4-1 run.

Koji Okuyama (3-2) and Austin Vanichuk (3-0) each recorded hat tricks while Kade Hoogstraten (1-2) and Mason Eastgate (0-3) chipped in with three points apiece. Brayden Longacre (1-1), Dane Hiebert and Xavian Washington also scored.

Five of Langley’s 10 goals came in transition.

Marcus Khan made 37 saves for the Thunder while New Westminster goaltender Boris Maksimenko stopped 39 of 48 shots. Wren Granville led the Salmonbellies with a hat trick while Keegan Laity added two goals and an assist.

After opening the season with four straight road games, the Thunder will host their home opener on Thursday (May 28) against the Coquitlam Adanacs (3-0) in a battle of the league’s lone remaining unbeaten teams. Game time is 7:30 p.m. at Langley Events Centre.

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