Week 4 in the WLA kicked off Wednesday night with the Coquitlam Adanacs and Langley Thunder meeting for the second time this season. Langley is 3-2, but their wins have come against teams at the bottom of the standings, while they have lost to teams at the top of the standings. Coquitlam is turning things around after an 0-2-1 start to the season, inclusive of a win over the Thunder last week. The Adanacs continued their winning ways, with an early five-goal run making the difference in an 11-6 victory. It’s the third straight win for Coquitlam, and their second over Langley, giving the Adanacs the head-to-head series win.
Five-goal run gives Adanacs the early edge
Kean Moon scored 28 seconds into the game to give Coquitlam a 1-0 lead. Nearly half a period elapsed before Toru Morimatsu tied the game for Langley (10:17). The Adanacs then went on a five-goal run into the second period to take control of the game. Scoring for Coquitlam were Brian Gillis (12:02), Adam Noakes (14:45 shorthanded), Clark Walter (16:39), Conner Stroup (19:16), and Brian Simmons (1:00 second period).
Jon Phillips (3:13) broke the run, but Coquitlam had an answer for every Langley comeback attempt. A goal from Jack Royer (10:26) restored the Adanacs’ five-goal lead. Hudson Chivers (15:06) and Nathan Lam (15:30) cut the lead to 7-4. however, James Rahe (16:24) and Moon (16:52) scored 28 seconds apart to put Coquitlam up 9-4 heading into the third period.
Coquitlam wins third straight, takes series with Langley
The Adanacs kept pace with the Thunder in the third period for the five-goal margin of victory. Morimatsu added two more goals for Langley (0:23; 16:23 extra attacker), while Walter (7:52 power play) and Simmons (17:03 empty net) scored for Coquitlam. Moon (2g, 4a) was named 1st Star of the Game, and Erik Turner (6-14 FO, 1 assist) was named 3rd Star for the Adanacs. Morimatsu (3g, 1a) took home 2nd Star honors for the Thunder. Goaltender Christian Del Bianco made 36 saves in the win, while Caleb Khan stopped 41 of 52 Coquitlam shots. The Adanacs (3-2-1) host Burnaby on Saturday, then travel to Maple Ridge Sunday with a chance to win that head-to-head series as well. Langley (3-3) plays at Nanaimo on Saturday, then returns home to face Maple Ridge Wednesday to kick off Week 5 action.
