“Muffler” Mike Kostiuk
All Lacrosse All The Time – A Division of Edge of Philly Sports Network
The Langley Thunder traveled to Maple Ridge to face the struggling Burrards in Sunday night WLA action. The Thunder were coming off a solid win over Burnaby Friday that kept their hold on the final playoff spot. However, Dane Dobbie was injured in that game (no word yet on his return). Additionally, Curtis Dickson was unavailable for this game after playing against the Lakers on Friday.
In their absence, NLL veterans Robert Church and Connor Robinson, along with Chase Scanlan, combined for 23 points as the Thunder beat the Burrards 13-6. The win puts the Thunder at 8-5, just one game behind Victoria (9-3), Coquitlam (9-4), and Nanaimo (9-6). Maple Ridge suffered their ninth straight loss, dropping to 1-11 on the season.
Burrards Control Thunder In First Period
It certainly wasn’t looking like like an easy win for Langley after the first 20 minutes of action. Maple Ridge jumped out to 3-1 lead, courtesy of Dennon Armstrong (5:02; power play) and a pair of goals from Brett Kujala (9:00; 19:16). Chase Scanlan countered for the Thunder at 18:22. Langley outshot the Burrards 17-16 in the period. But Maple Ridge goalie Nate Faccin was up to the challenge, turning away all but one of the Thunder’s shots.
Thunder Run Wild in Final Two Periods
Unfortunately for the Burrards, everything went south the rest of the way. The Thunder outshot Maple Ridge 22-14 in the second period, outscoring them 8-2. Robert Church got things started for Langley with a power play goal 37 seconds into the frame. Nash Moog (1:13) restored the two goal lead for Maple Ridge before Scanlan added a pair (4:14 power play; 11:31) to tie the game.
Connor Robinson (12:15) and a pair from Church (13:37; 14:39) put the Thunder up 7-4. Anthony Kalinich (14:59) got one back for Maple Ridge, but the Thunder continued to pour it on. Robinson (17:11) scored a shorthanded marker, and Tristan Kirkham followed up at 18:40 to make it 9-5 Thunder entering the final 20 minutes.
Dylan Mcintosh (1:19) brought the Burrards within three, but Thunder goalie Frank Scigliano shut Maple Ridge out the rest of the :game. Langley went on a four-goal run, with Colin Munro (7:58), Church (11:52), Scanlan (13:16), and Robinson (16:04) finding twine to seal the victory.
Three Stars of the Game
- 1st Star: Chase Scanlan (4g, 5a)
- 2nd Star: Robert Church (4g, 5a)
- 3rd Star: Connor Robinson (3g, 2a)
Other Stats of Note
- Shots favored Langley 56-43
- Maple Ridge won 13 of 22 faceoffs
- Will Clayton (Maple Ridge): 3 assists
- Frank Scigliano (Langley): 37 saves, 0.860 sv %
Langley has just one game this upcoming week, but it’s a big one. They travel to New Westminster Thursday to take on the Salmonbellies (6-8), who are still fighting for the fourth and final playoff spot. A Thunder win would all but eliminate New Westminster from the playoff picture. It would also move the Thunder into a tie in the win column with the league leaders.
Maple Ridge embarks on a three-game road trip this week: at Coquitlam Wednesday, at Burnaby Friday, at Nanaimo Sunday
Don’t forget to check us out every Sunday night at 9pm (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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