The Langley Thunder defeated the Nanaimo Timbermen 9-6 on Thursday night to advance to the WLA finals.
Langley took their best-of-five series 3-1 as they look to capture their second straight WLA title and a berth into the Mann Cup.
Game 1 of the best-of-seven finals begins Aug. 16 in New Westminster with the Thunder taking on the Salmonbellies. Langley will host Game 2 on Aug. 18.
Against Nanaimo, it was a big third period with lifted Langley to victory. The Thunder once again got a big performance out of Frank Scigliano as he stopped 58 of 64 shots in the victory.
Langley Holds Slim Lead After One
The Thunder had a slight edge after the first period. Connor Robinson opened the scoring 8:35 into the first. Curtis Dickson would then make it 2-0.
Ryan Sheridan continued his outstanding playoffs with a goal with 6:10 left but Langley held a 2-1 lead at the buzzer.
Nanaimo Comes Back To Tie It Up
Chase Scanlan opened the scoring off a pass from Reece Callies at 1:09 in the second period to make it 3-1.
Nathan Grenon replied right back just under 3:00 later on the power play to get Nanaimo back within one.
With 12:00 left on the clock, Dickson would then restore the Thunder’s two-goal lead.
The Timbermen were able to tie up late in the period with a two-goal run. First, Jon Phillips found the back of the net unassisted on the power play with 7:46 to play. Jerret Smith followed that up 1:05 later to knot the game up 4-4.
The back-and-forth period continued with Robert Church scoring for Langley with 5:53 to play and Ethan Ticehurst getting a marker to make it 5-5 heading into the third period.
Thunder To Seek Second Straight Championship
The Thunder had a strong third period to help them advance to the WLA Finals, outscoring Nanaimo 4-1.
Dickson and Robinson found the back of the net early in the third, which proved to be important goals as Langley went ahead 7-5.
Phillips halted some of Langley’s momentum. He scored at 5:54 into the third to get the Timbermen back within one.
Robinson would put Langley back up 8-6 at 6:27. With the Timbermen net empty for the extra attacker, Dickson scored the empty-net goal with 11 seconds left to make the final 9-6.
Three Stars
- Curtis Dickson, Langley Thunder
- Connor Robinson, Langley Thunder
- Jon Phillips, Nanaimo Timbermen
Top Scorers
Langley Thunder
Connor Robinson, 3g 3a
Curtis Dickson, 4g 2a
Dane Dobbie, 3a
Chase Scanlan, 1g 2a
Nanaimo Timbermen
Colton Lidstone, 2a
Jon Phillips, 2g
Nathan Grenon, 1g 1a
Ryan Sheridan, 1g 1a
Don’t forget to check us out every Sunday night at 9pm (ET) on eopsports.com
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.
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