Thunder comeback bid falls short in overtime

Langley Thunder's Curtis Goode (#12) checks his Delta Islanders opponent during BC Junior A Lacrosse League action at Langley Events Centre on June 29. Gary Ahuja LEC photo

The Delta Islanders returned the favour to the Langley Thunder.

Last week, the Thunder went to the Ladner Leisure Centre and handed the host Islanders a 6-4 loss. And on Thursday, the two teams reconvened at Langley Events Centre and this time it was the Islanders taking away the two points thanks to an 11-7 overtime win.

But while the Thunder’s slim playoff hopes remained alive during that first meeting, they entered the rematch knowing they no longer had a shot at a BC Junior A Lacrosse League post-season berth. Following Thursday’s result, Langley sat in sixth place at 5-12-1 and 11 points while Delta is in eighth place at 5-13-0 and 10 points. Both teams have three games remaining.

The rematch featured a high-scoring first period with Delta ahead 6-3 before both teams settled down in the second, tallying a goal each. The Thunder would score the only three goals of the third period – two of which came in the final 4:35 to force overtime – but the Islanders went ahead with 4:48 to play in the 10-minute overtime period before adding a pair of empty-net goals and then one more tally in the dying seconds for the final score.

Temeke7 Gottfriedsen led Langley with two goals and an assist while Jack Margetson had a goal and three helpers and was 15-3 on face-offs. Braiden Struss (1+1), Ben Gagnon, Joseph Killcommons and Jack Bamford had the other goals while Jayme Brain and Noah Buchan each had two assists.

Deklan Morrison made 47 saves on 56 shots (.839 save percentage) as the Thunder were outshot 58-51.

Killcommons, Bamford and Buchan were among the eight Tier 1 call-ups suiting up for the Thunder as Langley was missing several key regulars.

Scott Williams and Carter Torok led the Islanders with two goals apiece and Trase Recsky stopped 44 of 41 shots (.863 save percentage).

Up next for Langley is a visit to Victoria on Saturday (July 1) for an afternoon matinee against the Shamrocks.

Ahead of the BCJALL trade deadline on June 30, the Thunder made a series of trades, sending their three top offensive players and a pair of key defenders to playoff-bound teams. Graduating players Declan Fitzpatrick and Stuart Phillips were sent to the St. Albert Miners (Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League) and Coquitlam Adanacs. Also going to the Adanacs is Cody Malawsky, but his rights revert to the Thunder following the conclusion of the 2023 Minto Cup Championships. Defenders Ethan Quinn and Jaiden Terry were sent to the Port Coquitlam Saints and like Malawsky, they will rejoin the Thunder organization following the conclusion of the 2023 season.

Langley is receiving draft picks, future considerations and financial compensation in exchange for the players.

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