A third-period comeback by the Langley Thunder fell just short as they dropped an 8-7 decision to the Coquitlam Adanacs on Saturday night.
Trailing 8-5 early in the third period, Langley managed to score two goals with the goaltender pulled late in the game but could not find the equalizer.
It was a goaltending duel between Langley’s Keegan Okino and Coquitlam’s Christian Del Bianco. Okino stopped 42 of 50 shots in the loss, while Del Bianco turned aside 39 of 46 shots in the win.
James Rahe and Jalen Chaster led the Adanacs with three points each, while Rahe scored twice. Riley Isaacs also picked up a pair of goals for Coquitlam.
Dante Kulas had another big game with a goal and four assists, factoring in five of Langley’s seven goals. Jon Phillips followed with two goals and two assists for four points.
Coquitlam now moves into a tie with the New Westminster Salmonbellies for third place at 3-2. Meanwhile, Langley drops to 1-5, with its lone win coming against the second-place Victoria Shamrocks.
First Period
The Adanacs jumped out to a massive four-goal lead to start the game. Adam Noakes opened the scoring 2:13 into the first period.
Isaacs then scored at the 3:57 mark unassisted, followed by Jalen Chaster at 9:02.
Rahe scored at 10:19 to cap the run and make it 4-0 for the Adanacs.
Langley got on the board at the 10:19 mark when Max Semple found the back of the net.
Devin Pipher capped off a two-goal run for Langley with 3:19 left on the clock as the Adanacs held a 4-2 lead after the first period.
Second Period
Coquitlam quickly restored its four-goal lead in the second period.
Rahe scored off a feed from Kean Moon 55 seconds into the frame.
Tyler Garrison then scored 17 seconds later, unassisted, to make it 6-2 for the Adanacs.
The Thunder replied with a pair of goals of their own. Connor Watson scored off a feed from Kulas at 5:01, and Phillips scored a power-play marker at 8:23 to narrow the lead to 6-4.
Coquitlam bounced right back as Isaacs scored 25 seconds later to put the Adanacs up by three.
Pipher rounded out the second-period scoring on the power play with 1:08 left on the clock to make it a 7-5 game.
Third Period
Clark Walter scored 2:34 into the third period in what would hold up as the game-winning goal.
Cue the third-period comeback attempt by the Thunder. It started with Kulas scoring with 3:27 left and an extra attacker on the floor.
Still with the goaltender pulled, Phillips scored with 57 seconds remaining.
However, Langley could not find the equalizer as the Adanacs held on for the 8-7 victory.
Top Scorers
Coquitlam Adanacs
- James Rahe, 2g 1a
- Jalen Chaster, 1g 2a
- Riley Isaacs, 2g
- Adam Noakes, 1g 1a
- Kean Moon, 2a
- Dennon Armstrong, 2a
Langley Thunder
- Dante Kulas, 1g 4a
- Jon Phillips, 2g 2a
- Devin Pipher, 2g
- Connor Watson, 1g 1a
- Max Semple, 1g 1a
- Trevayne Hunter, 2a
Three Stars
- James Rahe, Coquitlam Adanacs
- Dante Kulas, Langley Thunder
- Riley Isaacs, Coquitlam Adanacs
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