The Langley Thunder’s off-season acquisitions came up very big for the defending Western Lacrosse Association.
Garrett Billings had two goals and seven assists, Lewis Ratcliff had four goals and one assist and Athan Iannucci, last year’s leading scorer for the team, chipped in with three goals as the Thunder chopped down the Nanaimo Timbermen 14-10 on Wednesday night at the Langley Events Centre.
The win was the first for the Thunder (1-2), the defending WLA senior A lacrosse champions.
Billings rejoined the Thunder after a one-year hiatus from Langley while Ratcliff was acquired in an off-season trade.
Nanaimo led 4-1 1:50 into the middle period, but Ratcliff — playing his first game in a Langley uniform — scored four straight goals in a span of 84 seconds.
And after the Timbermen regained the lead, Alex Turner and Billings gave Langley the lead for good heading into the intermission.
Turner finished with two goals and two helpers.
The Thunder outscored the visitors 7-4 over the final 20 minutes.
Brett Hickey (four assists), Rob Van Beek (two assists) and Ryan McMichael (one goal, four assists) all finished with multi-point games.
The Timebermen were led by Scott Ranger’s four goals and two assists and Cody Bremner’s two goals and three assists.
Brodie MacDonald made 35 saves for the win.
Langley looks to even their record on June 2 when they visit the Coquitlam Adanacs (1-2).
Game time is 7 p.m. at the Poirier Recreation Complex.
