Thunder rally to top Shamrocks

Following a forgettable first period, the Langley Junior Thunder took control and seized

A 7-0 second-period gave the Thunder a 9-7 over the Victoria Junior Shamrocks, and even after the Victoria visitors pulled even with 7:22 to play, it was the host side scoring the final two goals for the 11-9 victory.

The win improves Langley to 2-0 following the opening weekend of the BC Junior A Lacrosse League action.

“We came out a little flat and our offence wasn’t moving the ball, wasn’t moving their feet. We went into the locker room and said we were going to try and win the second period and then come out and try and win the third,” said Thunder coach Dane Dobbie.

“Some of our big guys came to play and our defence was steady-Eddie and then (goaltender Braeden) Washington came in and played well for us.”

Ryan Martel led the offensive attack with four goals and eight points while Kyle Brunsch delivered two goals and two helpers. And Nathaniel Kozevnikov continued his torrid start to the season by scoring a hat trick. He had six goals and seven points in the season opener.

Aiden Ellis and Nathan McKeigan had Langley’s other two goals.

Kozevnikov notched the winner for a second straight night, although this time the goal came much later in the contest and with the score tied.

Less than four minutes remained when he took the ball and charged to the net, scoring on a diving effort, to break the 9-9 deadlock. And just under a minute later, Brunsch added the insurance marker as Martel, whipped a beautiful, no-look, behind-the-back pass across the crease to his awaiting teammate.

The Shamrocks received two goals apiece from Zach Manns and Isaac Swan.

Torin Van Rheenen – who was coming off a 53-save performance in the opener – stopped 11 of the 16 shots he faced. Braeden Washington came in and stopped 44 of 48 shots, a .917 save percentage.

Langley looks to make it 3-0 as they travel to Burnaby to face the Junior Lakers on Monday (April 29) night in what will be the Thunder’s third game in four days.

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For more information:

Gary Ahuja, Langley Events Centre, 604.613.5242 (cell), 604.455.8830 (office) or email.