Vanichuk hat trick not enough in season opener

Austin Vanichuk scored three times in the Langley Junior A Thunder's season-opener on May 16 at the Port Coquitlam Community Centre. Langley Events Centre file photo

The Port Coquitlam Junior A Saints scored eight times in the middle frame as they handed the Langley Junior A Thunder a season-opening 11-5 defeat.

The teams were playing at the Port Coquitlam Community Centre on Friday night to kick off the BC Junior A Lacrosse League season.

Following a tight opening frame where the Saints scored the only goal, Port Coquitlam struck for five unanswered goals as part of an 8-3 second period. They also doubled Langley in shots 26-13 over that 20-minute span.

Each time tallied twice in the final period.

Austin Vanichuk led the Junior A Thunder offence with a hat trick while Mac Timms and Koji Okuyama scored once apiece. Caleb Khan made 45 saves for Langley as they were outshot 56-35.

Josh Mills led the Saints with four goals and seven points while Parker M’Lot had a goal and four helpers. Ashton Brown finished with 30 saves.

Up next for Langley is another road game as they head to Victoria to face the Junior Shamrocks on May 24 at 4:30pm.

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