“Muffler” Mike Kostiuk – All Lacrosse All The Time, a Division of the Edge of Philly Sports Network
The Langley Thunder took on the Nanaimo Timbermen on Sunday night at Frank Crane Arena for Game 2 of the WLA Finals. Nanaimo was looking to even the best-of-seven series at one game apiece, while Langley hoped to take a 2-0 lead back home for Game 3. Using a strong third period and a stellar performance from Dane Dobbie, the Thunder came out victorious 10-8. The win gives Langley a 2-0 series lead, with the teams squaring off at the Langley Events Centre in Game 3 on Tuesday night.
Langley jumps out to early lead
The first period was all Langley, outscoring the Timbermen 4-1 over the first 20 minutes of action. Dobbie had a hand in every goal in the period, opening the scoring at 2:04. Dobbie then fed Thomas Vaesen (3:11) and Erik Maas (14:06; power play) before tallying another goal (18:30) on a power play. The period saw several major penalties handed out, specifically to the Thunder’s Chase Scanlan and Timbermen defender Nate Wade. The two players received 5-minute majors for fighting after a pair of offsetting minor penalties. Wade also received a 5-minute Instigator penalty. Adam Jay would get Nanaimo on the board at 18:33 to make the score 4-1 in favor of Langley after 20 minutes of play.
Not so fast, says Nanaimo
Nanaimo would turn the tables on Langley in the second period, equaling the same scoring margin they faced in the first period. Jon Phillips cut the Timbermen’s deficit to two at 3:54 before Dobbie netted his hat trick goal at 8:01. The Timbermen would then go on a three-goal run. Coady Adamson (8:27), Will Johansen (10:27) and Zach Manns (10:54) found the back of the net to make it a 5-5 game heading into the second intermission. Nanaimo outshot Langley 22-10 in the period, which was much more disciplined than the first 20 minutes of play.
Langley moves another step closer to the WLA title
Langley wasted no time in retaking the lead in the third period. Curtis Dickson scored just 23 seconds into the final frame. Dobbie (1:54) added a shorthanded goal, his fourth of the night, to restore the Thunder’s two-goal lead. The teams would trade goals the rest of the way. The Timbermen got a power play marker from Hiana (Jerome) Thompson (2:29), plus tallies from Jerrett Smith (6:40) and Manns (7:58; second of the game). The Thunder would counter with a pair of goals from Chase Scanlan (5:34; 11:15) and Keegan Bell (7:38) to round out the 10-8 win.
Three Stars of the Game
1st Star: Dane Dobbie (Langley): 4g, 3a
2nd Star: Frank Scigliano (Langley): 46 of 54 shots saved; 0.852 sv pct
3rd Star: Hiana (Jerome) Thompson: 1g
Check out the All Lacrosse Live podcast every Sunday night at 9 pm (ET)
“Muffler” Mike Kostiuk was formally introduced to box lacrosse when he attended a New England Black Wolves game on a whim in 2016. Instantly hooked, he has since become an avid follower of the National Lacrosse League. Following the postponement of the 2019-2020 NLL season, he was offered the chance to share his wealth of statistical knowledge and unique insights with the lacrosse community at large. He cheerfully accepted, and currently serves as Edge of Philly’s correspondent for both the Albany FireWolves and New York Riptide.
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