Second-period surge sends Salmonbellies past Thunder

Langley Thunder captain Cody Malawsky scored three times in 42 seconds but his team fell 11-6 to the New Westminster Salmonbellies on June 20 at Langley Events Centre in BC Junior A Lacrosse League action. Ryan Molag photo

A disastrous second period was the Langley Thunder’s undoing on Thursday night.

Ahead 3-2 through 20 minutes against the visiting New Westminster Salmonbellies, the Thunder were blanked 7-0 over the second period as they fell 11-6 in BC Junior A Lacrosse League action at Langley Events Centre.

The defeat dropped Langley to 0-12 on the season with the Salmonbellies evening their record at 6-6.

The opening 20 minutes saw Langley lead by a goal thanks to a goal from Jaiden Terry and then back-to-back strikes from Baily Vanichuk 60 seconds apart for a one-goal lead heading into intermission.

But New Westminster outshot the Thunder 25-14 in the second and outscored them 7-0 to completely take over the game, building an 11-3 lead before Langley captain Cody Malawsky – who was making his season debut – scored three times in 42 seconds. He finished the night with four points.

The Thunder were outshot 59-48 in the game with goaltender Caleb Khan making 48 saves. For New Westminster, Jackson Curtis had 42 saves while Lukas Nielsen, Wren Glanville and Reid Hinds MacDonald each scored twice.

Langley is back in action on Friday (June 21) with a visit to the Port Coquitlam Community Centre to battle the Saints. The team’s next home game at Langley Events Centre is June 27 when they host the Burnaby Lakers at 7:00pm.

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