Second-period domination sends Adanacs to victory

Xavian Washington and Noah Buchan team up to deliver a first-period check against the Coquitlam Adanacs in BC Junior A Lacrosse League action at Langley Events Centre on June 19 at Langley Events Centre. Ryan Molag photo

It is back to the drawing board for the Langley Junior A Thunder.

Riding a four-game winning streak, the Thunder could not sustain their hot start on Thursday night – they scored on their first two shots – as they fell 12-4 to the visiting Coquitlam Adanacs at Langley Events Centre in BC Junior A Lacrosse League action.

Langley led 3-0 at one point before the Adanacs finally got on the board with Coquitlam dominating the middle frame 9-0 to put the game out of reach. The Adanacs string of 12 consecutive goals finally came to an end with 5:19 to play, meaning Langley managed two goals in the first 46 seconds and then just two more for the remaining 59:14.

Coquitlam – the defending BCJALL and Minto Cup champions -- improved to 8-2 while Langley dropped to 4-5.

“It is a learning opportunity for these guys. They are young; they have had some success the last couple of games obviously, but these guys (Coquitlam) are the (defending) champs for a reason and they showed us where we need to get to if we want to be at the same level,” said Langley coach Matt Beers.

The coach liked his team’s performance in the opening 20 minutes – they were ahead 3-1 with advantage in shots on goal – but felt the Thunder got away from their systems in that fateful second period. The Thunder managed just 18 shots on goal over the final 40 minutes.

“Coquitlam started getting what they wanted on offence, and they are a good team and started to finish,” Beers added.

Langley was led by two goals from Cody Malawsky with Nathaniel Leroux and Hudson Zazelenchuk scoring once each. Bailey Vanichuk added a pair of assists. Caleb Khan played the bulk of the game in net with 36 saves on 46 shots with Marcus Khan saving three of the five shots he faced in the second period.

Ryan Colsey led the Adanacs with a hat trick and five points while Nathan Chalmers had a pair of goals and four helpers and Matty Dane added two goals and two assists. Jack Kask made 35 saves on 39 shots.

Up next for the Thunder is a trip to Nanaimo on June 21 against the Timbermen (5-4) before they host the New Westminster Salmonbellies (6-4).

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