Mark Matthews scored three times as the Langley Thunder jumped out to a 1-0 series lead in the Western Lacrosse Association championship series thanks to a 7-6 victory.
Matthews scored goals 1:36 apart in the third period to give the Thunder a 7-4 lead over the visiting Victoria Shamrocks in the opening game of the best-of-seven WLA championship series on Aug. 14 at the Langley Events Centre.
The Shamrocks would answer with two late goals, including Dan MacRae’s marker with nine seconds to go, but would not have enough time to attempt an equalizer.
Langley won despite being outshot 54-33 as goaltender Brodie MacDonald made 48 saves.
Victoria opened the scoring in the game as Tyler Haas struck while the team was short-handed.
But Garrett Billings and Alex Crepinsek gave the Thunder a 2-1 lead prior to intermission.
Matthews scored his first of three to make it 3-1 before the teams traded goals for the rest of the period: Corey Small and Brody Eastwood for the visitors and Athan Iannucci and Dane Dobbie for the home side. It was 5-3 Langley after two periods.
Jeff Shattler did cut the lead to 5-4 two minutes into the third before Matthews took over.
Matthews also had an assist to finish with four points while Billings had the one goal and four helpers for a five-point night.
Game two of the series in Aug. 16 before the series returns to the LEC on Aug. 21.
