Todd's late strike lifts Thunder

Langley Thunder's Cody Todd fires a shot on goal during first-period action of his team's 10-7 win over the New Westminster Salmonbellies on June 4 at Langley Events Centre. Gary Ahuja photo

After watching a three-goal lead vanish, the Langley Thunder never wavered. Despite their youth, they responded when it mattered most.

The visiting New Westminster Salmonbellies had just scored three straight to open the final period, clawing back from a 7-4 deficit to pull even with under eight minutes remaining. And Langley had gone nearly 20 minutes of game time since finding the back of the net.

But when they needed it most, the offence delivered. With the shot clock winding down, Cody Todd unleashed a rocket from well beyond the restraining line that beat goaltender Boris Maksimenko and restored the Thunder lead.

Langley would add two more goals in the final minute, defeating the Salmonbellies 10-7 in BC Junior A Lacrosse League action at Langley Events Centre on Thursday night. Langley improved to 6-0-1 while the ‘Bellies sit at 4-3, with two of those losses at the hands of the Thunder.

BOX SCORE

Austin Vanichuk paced the offence, recording a goal and six assists while factoring in seven of Langley's first eight goals. He deflected credit for his stat line.

“The boys on the other side were really the ones who put in the work,” he said. “I only got one goal, but the six apples … I didn’t really do too much, it was those guys finishing.”

Todd and Josiah Allen each finished with a pair of goals and a helper while Jacob Glass (1-1), Parker Doyle and Kade Hoogstraten had a goal apiece. The final two goals came in transition. Koji Okuyama (1-2) scored on a breakaway with 30 seconds remaining before unselfishly passing up an open net moments later to set up Madden Bakatsis.

Caleb Khan was solid once again, making 45 saves on 52 shots. The goaltender entered the weekend leading the BCJALL with an .885 save percentage while ranking second in goals-against average at 5.98.

Evan Connelly led New Westminster with a hat trick and Keegan Laity had two goals and an assist. Maksimenko finished with 43 saves.

The win continues a trend of the Thunder prevailing in close contests.

“Sometimes things aren’t going our way, but we find a way through our defence,” Vanichuk said. “The defence has been really physical on the back end, getting us the ball and we have been able to deliver on offence.”

Langley now prepares for a busy weekend with games on back-to-back days. The Thunder visit Victoria on Saturday for a 5:00pm matchup with the Shamrocks before returning home Sunday to host the Nanaimo Timbermen at 1:30pm at Langley Events Centre.

The Langley Thunder lacrosse organization consists of Senior A, Junior A and Junior Tier 1 teams who play in the Western Lacrosse Association, BC Junior A Lacrosse League and BC Junior Tier 1 Lacrosse League respectively. All three teams play their home games at Langley Events Centre.

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