A commitment to team work, a balanced attack and strong coaching, have helped the Langley Thunder claim the peewee A2 provincial lacrosse championship, the first time a Langley A level team has won provincial gold.
“Our theme from the start of the championship tournament was it all starts with defence,” said coach John Richardson, who was assisted by Kevin Brunsch, Mike Miller and Larry Spady.
“The boys committed to that from the beginning.
“We truly played as a team (and) every single player contributed to our success.”
Langley went undefeated at the tournament over the weekend in Vernon.
They also had two players receive individual honours: goaltender Riley Richardson made the all-star team and Chase Moore was the team’s Fair Play award winner.
Facing Richmond in the title game, the Thunder trailed late 3-2 late in the second before erupting offensively to take control with six straight goals.
Richmond tried to claw back, but lost 12-6.
Caleb Pearson, Dawson Calfa and Moore all had hat tricks, while Connor Watson’s unselfish play contributed five assists. Moore was the player of the game.
Langley cruised through the round robin, defeating Surrey 11-4, Prince George 8-2 and 10-3 over Kelowna.
In the semifinals, the Thunder crushed Nanaimo 9-2.
Langley 11 Surrey 4
Langley opened the scoring when Jakob Knapp scored his first of two goals in the game. Joshua Brunsch added to the tally with his goal on a feed from Connor Watson. Near the end of the first period, Justin Gauthier stole the ball to create a two on one and fed Dawson Calfa to make it 3-0 for Langley. Five more players contributed goals in the second and third periods including Ryan Williams, Cal Slade, Josh Green, Caleb Pearson and Connor Watson. Langley won the game by a final score of 11-4. Baxter Anderson had two assists and created chances that led to two more. Caleb Pearson was awarded the game star.
Langley 8 Prince George 2
Facing Prince George in their second round robin game, Langley scored early and often with Dawson Calfa scoring a hat trick and Joey Spady, Cal Slade, Josh Brunsch, and Caleb Pearson adding singles. By midway through the second period, Langley had opened up a 7-1 lead. After that, the game was penalty ridden. Langley’s penalty killers played well to secure an 8-2 victory. Connor Watson was awarded the game star.
Langley 10 Kelowna 3
Kelowna kept the score close as Langley struggled to find their form. Nearing the end of the second period, with Langley leading 3-2, Kelowna’s goalie was ejected from the game for committing a major penalty. Langley pressed their advantage, scoring four unanswered goals toward an eventual 10-3 victory. Caleb Pearson scored three goals and had two assists, Dawson Calfa scored two goals and three assists, Connor Watson and Josh Brunsch had a goal and assist each. Chase Moore had two goals and Joey Spady netted one. Baxter Anderson, Hugh Brown, Joey Spady and Chase Moore played well on defence. Josh Green was awarded the game star.
Langley 9 Nanaimo 2
Langley scored early as Hugh Brown netted his first of two goals and one assist in the game. Goals followed from Connor Watson (2), Ryan Williams, Josh Brunsch, Joey Spady and Justin Gauthier giving Langley an 8-0 lead. Langley’s defense allowed nothing inside, Riley Richardson made some big early saves and Langley’s conditioning and ball movement was too much for Nanaimo to handle. Dawson Calfa was awarded the game star in the 9-2 victory.
