Lakers Stay Alive And Put Langley On The Brink

Picture of "Muffler" Mike Kostiuk

"Muffler" Mike Kostiuk

"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 covers NLL, PLL, WLA, and Major Series Lacrosse for the network.
Lakers
Photo Credit: Langley Thunder/Twitter

The Burnaby Lakers stayed alive for the final WLA playoff spot with an 11-4 win over Langley Friday night. With the win, Burnaby snaps a two-game skid and improves to 5-11 (10 points). The Lakers are tied with Langley (5-10) for fifth place, and are now two points behind Maple Ridge (5-9-2; 12 points) for the final playoff spot.

Lakers

Burnaby takes early lead with six different scorers

The Lakers got out to a 2-0 lead on goals from Gordie Phillips (7:59) and Ben Stewart (13:20). The Thunder evened the game when Jon Phillips (15:41) and Ethan M’Lot (16:27) found the back of the net. Burnaby regained a two-goal lead as Ben McDonald (19:35) and Rowan Birrell (3:59 second period) scored. Alex Lemieux fed Zayden Blake (4:44) to cut the lead to 4-3, but after goals from Jaxon Fridge (7:10) and Sam La Roue (8:40), the Lakers were doubling up the Thunder 6-3. A second marker from M’Lot drew Langley back within two, but Burnaby would keep control the rest of the game.

Late run puts Lakers in position to take final playoff spot

Jacob Dunbar (15:14 second period) and Jack Charboneau (17:28) began a five-goal run for the Lakers. The run continued into the third period as Connor Goodwin (4:49) pushed the lead to 9-4. McDonald netted a power play goal (9:25), and La Roue added a shorthanded goal at 11:04 to close out the scoring. The Langley offense was shut out for the last 30 minutes of the game.

Lakers goaltender Keegan Melenychuk was named 1st Star of the Game; he made 44 saves, including turning aside all 19 shots by the Thunder in the third period. McDonald (2g, 2a) earned 2nd Star honors, while M’Lot (2g, 1a) took 3rd Star for Langley. The Thunder play at Coquitlam Saturday night, then finish their season with a home-and-home against New Westminster in Week 10. The Lakers can potentially move up to the #4 seed Sunday night when they play at Maple Ridge. They then finish their season with a home game against Victoria. Both Langley and Burnaby will need to win at least one of their remaining contests in order to vie for the final playoff spot.

Popular Posts