The Langley Junior Thunder rallied to force overtime but could not finish things off, falling 10-9 in a battle of two of the top-ranked teams among all junior A lacrosse teams in Canada.
The Thunder hosted the New Westminster Junior Salmonbellies in BC Junior A Lacrosse League action on Thursday (May 25) with the ‘Bellies ranked second and Langley fourth.
And while New Westminster ran away with a 15-3 victory in the teams’ first meeting a few weeks back, this contest was much more competitive.
The Salmonbellies led 4-2 after one period before Langley took a 6-4 lead midway through the second. New West would restore their two-goal advantage heading into the third and led 9-6 with 16 minutes to play.
But Langley’s Matt Brunsch got the home side within a pair with 14:13 to go before Mackenzie Rope made it 9-8 with 4:35 to play. And Dawson Rodin pulled the team even with 1:40 to play.
The ‘Bellies Max Gerhardt scored the only goal of the 10-minute OT period.
Ryan Martel paced the Thunder attack with three goals and five points while Caleb Pearson and Rodin each had a goal and two helpers. Bobby Kidd III and Hudson Shelvey had a goal apiece with Mitch McDole and Christian Bosa each registering two assists.
The loss dropped Langley to 5-3 while New West sits at 6-1.
Up next for the Thunder is a road game in Ladner against the Delta Islanders on May 27.
