July 20th, 2009
Langley Thunder Clinches Play-Off Spot with three games to go.

Langley Thunder of the Western Lacrosse Association (WLA) clinched a spot in the post-season with a convincing 15-5 victory over the Burnaby Lakers.  The win gives the Thunder a 9-5-1 record good enough for 3rd place in the present league standings http://www.theboxrocks.com/stats/scoreboard.asp  – Langley can only catch 1st or 2nd place Victoria or New Westminster by winning all their remaining games (New Westminster, Coquitlam, & Nanaimo) and Victoria &/or New Westminster losing their remaining games.

Sunday’s matinee game started slow but part ~ ½ way through the 1st period the Thunder scored five times.  Kyle Belton fired two low lasers that got things rolling.  Stephan Leblanc potted one in close with slick move.  Billings scored on an extra attacker goal that was executed perfectly by the Thunder offense.  Rounding out the 1st period scoring was Bryan Poole on another 6-5 Thunder play.  Thunder led 5-1 going into the 2nd.

Things got a little rough and the Thunder’s Kyle McEwen settled the Laker team down but got 5 minutes in the sin bin.    In the last two (2) games Langley Thunder has had ZERO power plays from opponent’s play.  The only power play vs. Burnaby was a delay of game for Burnaby’s unsuccessful call for a check on Goaltender Joe Bell’s pads.  In the previous game (a 12-10 win over Coquitlam) the only man-up situation came on an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.  Either the opponents play SUPER clean against the Thunder squad or?????

The 2nd period saw Burnaby score a couple of quick goals, then the teams traded goals with the period ending 8-5 for Langley.  The third period was ALL Thunder 7-0.  Garrett Billings started it with a 1st shift 6-5 play. 

Joe Bell continues to impress protecting the Langley net stopping 32 of 37 shots.

Garrett Billings rec’d the games 1st Star for his three (3) goals and four (4) assists.

Bryan Poole was named the 2nd Star for his two (2) goals and one (1) assists.

Other scorers for Langley were …

Kyle Belton scored three (3) and added four (4) assists for seven (7) points

Stephan Leblanc scored four (4) and added two (2) assists for six (6) points

Alex Turner three (3) assists

Brad Holbrough one (1) goal and one (1) assist for two (2) points

Jamie Lincoln one (1) goal and one (1) assist for two (2) points

Joe Vetere one (1) goal

 Langley’s next opponent is 2nd place New Westminster Salmonbellies on Wednesday July 22nd at 7:45 PM.

Tickets are $10, Children under 12 - $5.