The Langley Thunder built a four-goal first-period lead, survived a furious Maple Ridge Burrards comeback and ultimately earned a 9-8 win in overtime on the strength of Dante Kulas’ fourth goal of the night.
Kulas finished with four goals and an assist, including the game-winner 8:37 into overtime. Jon Phillips led the way for the Thunder with two goals and four assists, while Max Semple chipped in with a goal and three helpers.
Frank Scigliano was outstanding in goal for Langley, stopping 51 of 59 shots for the victory.
For the Burrards, Payton Cormier recorded a hat trick and three assists in a six-point performance, while Tyler Pace added a goal and three assists.
First Period
The Thunder came out flying and seized control early.
Just 16 seconds into the game, Semple opened the scoring before Kulas doubled the lead on the power play at 2:32.
Evan Messenger and Nathaniel Kozevnikov added goals later in the frame as the Thunder stormed ahead 4-0.
The Burrards generated plenty of opportunities, outshooting the Thunder 16-12, but were unable to solve Scigliano in the opening 20 minutes.
Second Period
Maple Ridge began chipping away at the deficit in the middle frame.
Cormier got his team on the board with a shorthanded goal, despite the Burrards having an extra attacker on the floor, at 9:12.
Dagan Carlson and Garret Winter scored 65 seconds apart late in the period to pull the Burrards within one.
Langley gained some breathing room when Phillips scored on the power play with 50 seconds remaining, but Brandon Clelland answered just five seconds later to make it a 5-4 game heading into the third.
Third Period
The third period turned into a back-and-forth offensive showcase.
Cormier tied the game 1:44 into the period, only for Phillips to restore Langley’s lead.
Pace answered for the Burrards before Kulas struck again to make it 7-6 for the Thunder.
Cormier’s third goal of the game tied the score at 7-7, and Carlson gave the Burrards their first lead at 11:01.
The advantage lasted just 70 seconds as Kulas completed his hat trick and tied the game at 8-8, setting the stage for overtime.
Overtime
Both teams had chances in the extra session, but Kulas delivered the winner.
After Scigliano made a couple of key stops to keep the game even, Kulas found the back of the net at 8:37 of overtime off a feed from Semple, lifting the Thunder to the dramatic 9-8 victory in overtime.
Top Scorers
Langley Thunder
- Jon Phillips, 2g 4a
- Dante Kulas, 4g 1a
- Max Semple, 1g 3a
Maple Ridge Burrards
- Payton Cormier, 3g 3a
- Tyler Pace, 1g 3a
- Dagan Carlson, 2g
Three Stars
- Frank Scigliano, Langley Thunder
- Dante Kulas, Langley Thunder
- Payton Cormier, Maple Ridge Burrards
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