Alex Turner’s goal four minutes into double overtime has the Langley Thunder one victory away from a second consecutive Western Lacrosse Association championship.
Turner’s goal gave the senior A Thunder a 8-7 victory over the Coquitlam Adanacs in game four of the best-of-seven WLA championship series on Saturday (Aug. 25) at Coquitlam’s Poirier Sports Complex.
The teams were tied at one after 20 minutes as Kevin Olson scored for the hosts and Kerry Susheski for the visitors.
Langley went up 3-1 on goals from Lewis Ratcliff and Shayne Jackson but Coquitlam stormed back into the game with three goals in 36 seconds as Ryan Johnson, Dane Dobbie and Olson all did the honours.
Olson completed his hat trick early in the third before Ratcliff matched him with a pair of goals for a hat trick of his own.
Travis Cornwall put Coquitlam ahead 6-5 with just over three minutes remaining, but a too many men penalty with 1:47 remaining to the Adanacs — which results in a penalty shot if it occurs in the final two minutes — gave the Thunder an opportunity it would not squander, as Ratcliff forced overtime with his fourth goal of the game.
In the 10-minute extra period, Joel McCready put Langley ahead 7-6 before Daryl Veltman squared things up three minutes later, setting the stage for Turner’s heroics.
Shots on goal wound up 62-60 in favour of Langley with Thunder goalie Brodie MacDonald earning first star honours thanks to a 53-save effort. Coquitlam’s Nick Rose was second star, stopping 54 shots.
Ratcliff, who finished with four goals and an assist and 21 shots on goal, was the third star.
Langley will look to clinch the WLA championship on Aug. 27 at 7: 45 p.m. at the LEC.
If necessary, game six would be Aug. 29 in Coquitlam and game seven would be back at the LEC.
