The Langley Thunder were able to cruise to a Game 1 victory over the Nanaimo Timbermen 14-6 on Tuesday night to open the WLA playoffs.
Connor Robinson had a huge night for Langley, potting a sock trick. The Thunder also got solid goaltending from Frank Scigliano as he stopped 51 of 57 shots in the victory.
Nanaimo had kept the game close until Langley went on an eight-goal run between the first and second periods that proved to be too much for the Timbermen. Nanaimo went 17:36 without a goal during that stretch.
The Timbermen will look to even up the series in Game 2 on Thursday night in Nanaimo.
Thunder Dominate First Period
Langley got off to a quick start with a pair of goals by Robinson. He scored his first 36 seconds into the game followed by another at 5:18.
Zach Manns would take a pass from Taggart Clark on the power play 30 seconds later to bring the Timbermen within one, 2-1.
Chase Scanlan’s goal 8:24 into the first period would begin the eight-goal run for the Thunder.
Goals from Robert Church and two more from Robinson would give Langley a 6-1 lead after the first period.
Timbermen Forced to Play Catchup
Things didn’t get much easier for the Timbermen in the second period. Goals from Robinson, Jacob Motiuk, and two from Chase Scanlan put Langley ahead 10-1.
Nanaimo tried to mount a comeback midway through the second. Colton Lidstone scored with 9:13 on the clock followed by power play markers from Jon Phillips and Manns to make it 10-4.
Curtis Dickson and Church rounded out the scoring as Langley held a 12-4 lead heading into the third period.
Thunder Take 1-0 Series Lead
Nathan Grenon opened the third-period scoring for Nanaimo, but the seven-goal difference was just too much to overcome.
Dickson would score 4:16 into the period with a one-handed behind-the-back goal, followed by Robinson with his sixth goal of the game 26 seconds later. Jon Phillips rounded out the scoring but Langley would take the Game 1 victory 14-6.
Three Stars
- Connor Robinson, Langley Thunder
- Frank Scigliano, Langley Thunder
- Zach Manns, Nanaimo Timbermen
Top Scorers
Langley Thunder
Connor Robinson, 6g
Curtis Dickson, 2g 4a
Chase Scanlan, 3g 3a
Nanaimo Timbermen
Zach Manns, 2g 2a
Jon Philips, 2g 1a
Brett McIntyre, 2a
Nathan Grenon, 1g 1a
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Shawn Slaght has been a sports reporter across the Canadian prairies for over 10 years and has experience covering everything from junior hockey to World Cup skiing to all levels of lacrosse. He is the Saskatchewan correspondent for All Lacrosse All The Time.
